Statements

Victoria, B.C. – MCABC CEO Kim Barbero was in Victoria for today’s Budget 2026. While the province’s deficit was top of mind, as were the protection of investments for core services and cuts in government staffing, the below highlights subjects that have direct relevance to MCABC members in their capacity as owners and leaders in the mechanical contracting industry.

Skills training attributed to securing B.C.’s future

“Construction continues across the province,” says Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey,

When it comes to planning for the future, skilled trades secured strong recognition in the 2026 provincial budget, following health care, education, and public safety.  While the government’s focus on skilled trades wasn’t new “news” for the mechanical contracting industry – the announcement of a $241M injection into skilled trades training pre-empted the budget with its own announcement in November 2025 – its high standing in the budget reinforced their impact throughout BC.

What today’s budget offered the mechanical contracting industry is clarity. It has also introduced considerations important for business owners:

• $283 million in trades training funding over three years – this includes:
  • the $241 noted announced in November which is anticipated to create up to 5,000 seats
  • $12 million to enhance the employer training grant
  • $30 million to upskill highly qualified professionals by adding specialized streams to existing programs, including engineering, geology, computer science, biology and aerospace
• Effective April 1, a new temporary Manufacturing and Processing Investment Tax Credit for investing in new buildings, machinery and equipment;
• A strong commitment to continued infrastructure development in the capital plan, including, but not limited to, funding to support construction on: 17 major hospitals and acute care facilities, 66 K-12 school additions and improvements, and key transit and transportation expansions; a continued focus on housing investments (and a noted $1.4 billion reallocation of the fiscal plan); and an increase in investment in the maintenance, repair and renewal of provincially-owned infrastructure.
• PST has been expanded for services including, but not limited to: accounting and bookkeeping; architectural; engineering and geoscience; rental property and strata management. Note: The PST on architectural, engineering, and geoscience services will apply to 30 per cent of the purchase price of the services subject to the tax.

Read the government’s announcement here.

See the full budget and highlights here.

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About

The Mechanical Contractors Association of B.C. (MCABC) is the dedicated representative of the mechanical contracting industry in British Columbia – the industry with the largest share of skilled trades workers in the construction sector. As the connection to industry excellence for our diverse membership, we deliver education and professional development programs that enable high standards of practice and business success. Through advocacy and strong industry partnerships, we influence policy and regulatory development at all levels of government, advancing the interests of our industry and improving its ability to meet B.C.’s growing infrastructure demand.

Media Contact

Kim Barbero

Chief Executive Officer

kbarbero@mcabc.org
(604) 205-5058

MCABC welcomes B.C.’s $241-million commitment to expand trades-training capacity and support the province’s growing mechanical workforce

Vancouver, B.C. – The Mechanical Contractors Association of British Columbia (MCABC) welcomes today’s announcement by the Province of British Columbia regarding a $241-million investment to expand trades training. Increasing access to training seats and strengthening certification pathways will help more British Columbians build stable, well-paid, family-supporting careers and support the workforce needed to meet B.C.’s housing targets and deliver major infrastructure projects across the province.

Mechanical contractors face some of the most significant workforce pressures in construction, including in plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration and fire protection, as well as the full range of specialized mechanical trades—work essential to every new home, hospital, school, industrial facility and clean-energy project in B.C. Together, mechanical trades represent roughly 24 per cent of B.C.’s total construction output, employing more than 28,000 British Columbians directly and supporting another 25,000 indirect jobs.

Long wait times for training programs and regional shortages in skilled trades have been consistent barriers for employers and for people seeking to start or advance their mechanical trades careers. With more than three-quarters of B.C.’s mechanical contractors employing fewer than 10 people, these workforce pressures are often more acute for small companies that rely on timely access to skilled workers and on training pathways that help existing employees upgrade their skills. Across the wider construction sector, employers will need to recruit more than 60,000 workers by 2035 to replace retiring workers and keep pace with growth—reinforcing the importance of expanding training capacity today.

Today’s investment is an important step toward addressing these challenges by improving access and strengthening the training system across the province. Mechanical trades account for more than one-quarter of all apprenticeship registrations and certifications in B.C., reinforcing the need for expanded training capacity as demand continues to grow.

As government expands the trades-training system, MCABC encourages continued collaboration to ensure programs reflect the realities of today’s mechanical job sites—including the shift toward heat pumps, advanced control systems, modern HVAC technologies and the decarbonization requirements shaping both new construction and retrofit work. Ensuring people entering the trades, those growing their skills in the sector and the employers who rely on them all have the supports needed to succeed will be critical.

MCABC looks forward to working with government and other partners across the skilled trades sector to support expanded training and help grow the diverse, highly skilled mechanical workforce needed for the decade ahead.

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About

The Mechanical Contractors Association of B.C. (MCABC) is the dedicated representative of the mechanical contracting industry in British Columbia – the industry with the largest share of skilled trades workers in the construction sector. As the connection to industry excellence for our diverse membership, we deliver education and professional development programs that enable high standards of practice and business success. Through advocacy and strong industry partnerships, we influence policy and regulatory development at all levels of government, advancing the interests of our industry and improving its ability to meet B.C.’s growing infrastructure demand.

Media Contact

Conor Brendan Dunne
Manager, Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

cdunne@mcabc.org
(604) 205-5058

Vancouver, B.C. – MCABC is pleased to announce that Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services (WMB) has secured a Pillar Partnership with MCABC. This exciting, landmark partnership will enable MCABC members to access exclusive and customized insurance and surety bonding savings and opportunities. It will also elevate building best practices and advance prevention initiatives that directly influence industry standards.

WMB, in collaboration with its partners at Aviva, Liberty Mutual, and Intact Insurance, is working closely with MCABC’s Board of Directors to create and deliver exclusive benefits for MCABC members, including:

A preferred MCABC Insurance Program – tailored to the specialized needs of the mechanical contracting industry in B.C., WMB is in the final stages of formalizing this program which will be led by an MCABC-dedicated team negotiating best pricing for members.

An MCABC Surety Panel – whether members are establishing their first bonding facility or enhancing an existing bonding legacy, this panel of top-tier surety underwriters and brokers will offer a dedicated and priority service.

“Our client-centric approach, combined with our deep understanding of the challenges faced by mechanical contractors, is what sets us apart in the insurance landscape,” says Mathew Binkle, Managing Partner at WMB.

As MCABC’s Advocacy Pillar Partner, WMB will be a key funding party that further enhances and elevates MCABC’s general advocacy strategy and efforts, including a continued focus on prompt payment legislation. This collaboration will enable the MCABC team to continue with its focused provincial and municipal advocacy program while providing for additional opportunities to influence policy and regulatory change and advancements.

“We know how critical insurance and surety services are to our members,” says MCABC CEO Kim Barbero. “MCABC is laser focused on driving member value. Aligning our pillars with key business services that support our members’ business growth and profitability are key to continued industry growth.”

In addition to providing sector specific bonding and insurance programs, the partnership with WMB will ensure MCABC members have access to resources that enable informed decision-making. Informative programming will be shared and hosted by MCABC and WMB, and personalized guidance will also be delivered by WMB by request.

“Insurance can be daunting,” says Nikki Keith, Principal at WMB, “but it doesn’t have to be. We’re here to guide MCABC members through the what’s, the how’s, and the why’s to help them safeguard their businesses, protect profitability, and keep projects moving forward on time and on budget.”

WMB will be leading November’s #CoffeeTalk, a must-attend for MCABC members who want to dig deeper, learn beyond the broker experience and understand the mindset of the insurance underwriter.

About WMB

Since 1981, WMB has been a trusted partner to mechanical and plumbing contractors across Western Canada. WMB has built a reputation for understanding the unique risks and operational realities of the trades that keep buildings operating, from piping systems and plumbing infrastructure to HVAC to fire protection.

The WMB team brings decades of hands-on experience in construction insurance and surety bonding, with a strong focus on mechanical and plumbing sectors. The company has worked with contractors of all sizes, from startups securing their first bonding facility to legacy firms optimizing coverage for complex projects, helping them navigate the insurance landscape with confidence.

With over 300 employees across 15 offices, WMB offers tailored solutions that reflect the specific needs of mechanical and plumbing contractors, including:

• Surety bonding programs designed for trade contractors.
• Customized liability and wrap-up coverage for mechanical scopes
• Risk management strategies for service and maintenance operations
• Claims support from professionals who understand construction timelines and pressures

About MCABC Pillar Partnerships

MCABC is leading the change in the mechanical contracting industry. We’re guided by six pillars that provide the framework for the Association’s strategic direction, decision-making, and actions:

• Advocacy
• Education
• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Skilled Trades
• Innovation

The Pillar Partnership program is uniquely tailored to the individual partner, with each one being carefully selected as a non-industry ally that is committed to accessing and supporting the mechanical industry in a true partnership format.

Interested in becoming a MCABC Pillar Partner? Reach out to our Director, Member Experience, Leesa Butler, at lbutler@mcabc.org and start the conversation today!

Media Contact

Conor Brendan Dunne
Manager, Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

cdunne@mcabc.org
(604) 205-5058 ext. 3244

Prompt payment is a historic step forward for B.C.’s $28-billion construction economy

MCABC applauds government leadership and calls for strong implementation to ensure lasting impact across one of the province’s most vital sectors.

Vancouver, B.C. – The Mechanical Contractors Association of British Columbia (MCABC) welcomes the Government of British Columbia’s announcement today introducing prompt payment legislation — a long-awaited reform that, once passed, will strengthen the province’s construction economy by keeping housing and infrastructure projects moving, cutting unnecessary and hidden costs and making it faster and more affordable to build across B.C.

“Prompt payment is a historic step forward for B.C.’s $28-billion construction economy — one that MCABC has championed for over a decade,” said Kim Barbero, CEO, Mechanical Contractors Association of British Columbia. “Mechanical contractors are at the heart of how B.C. builds — delivering the air, water and energy systems that keep our province moving. This reform will strengthen that foundation by bringing greater efficiency and stability to one of B.C.’s largest economic engines — ensuring contractors can pay their workers, invest in training and technology and deliver the housing and infrastructure our communities urgently need.”

Prompt payment legislation sets predictable timelines and clear dispute-resolution processes to ensure funds move efficiently through every level of the construction supply chain — from owners to subcontractors.

With $158 billion in major projects underway and another $173 billion on the horizon — covering housing, infrastructure, industrial and energy developments — B.C. is in one of the largest building cycles in its history. Predictable payment will help sustain that momentum by keeping capital circulating, lowering financing costs and keeping projects on schedule — making the entire system more efficient and resilient.

“Prompt payment isn’t just an industry issue — it’s about people,” said Kyle Wisniewski, Chair of the MCABC Board of Directors and General Manager, Black & McDonald Limited. “Predictable cash flow gives contractors the confidence to keep crews working, bring on apprentices and invest in the next generation of tradespeople. When money moves on time, so do projects — and that’s what delivers more homes and builds stronger communities across B.C.”

“Confidence is what drives investment, innovation and growth,” said Trevor Hildebrand, Past Chair & Secretary-Treasurer of the MCABC Board and President of Phase Mechanical Systems. “Prompt payment creates that confidence, unlocking contractors’ ability to modernize how we work — adopting new technology, improving efficiency and keeping skilled workers in the industry. It’s about building capacity for the long term — strengthening B.C.’s competitiveness and making our industry more productive, resilient and better positioned for growth.”

As the legislation moves forward, MCABC will continue working with government and industry partners to ensure its implementation delivers meaningful, measurable results.

“Prompt payment is only as strong as its execution,” Barbero added. “Implementation must align with how construction actually works — with clear timelines, practical enforcement and accountability across the chain. That’s how we’ll ensure the benefits reach the people building B.C., and ultimately, the communities and industries that rely on them.”

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About MCABC

The Mechanical Contractors Association of BC is the connection to industry excellence. We deliver education and professional development programs and services that enable high standards of professional practice and business success for mechanical contractors and their sub-trades. Through advocacy and strong industry partnerships, MCABC influences policy discussion and development in a sector that comprises the largest percentage of the construction industry’s skilled trades workforce. We also represent suppliers and affiliates associated with the mechanical trades and maintain strong alliances with industry manufacturers.

Media Contact

Conor Brendan Dunne
Manager, Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

cdunne@mcabc.org
(604) 205-5058 ext. 3244