Tristan Bertram, Director of Industry Affairs • 825-522-4834 • tristan.bertram@tiac.ca
As 2025 comes to a close, I’m incredibly proud of what TIAC and our members have accomplished together. From strengthening our technical leadership and influence to expanding our role in workforce development, this has been a defining year for our association. One of the biggest highlights was the launch of Building Mechanical Insulation’s Sustainable Future, TIAC’s first-ever foundational skills training program, funded through the Alberta Industry Skills Grant. This initiative is helping train the next generation of Heat and Frost Insulators in Alberta, while setting a strong foundation for national expansion and long-term workforce development.
Throughout the year, our committees have made significant progress on key initiatives. Our Technical Committee continued its work updating the TIAC Mechanical Insulation Best Practices Guide—a critical resource that helps shape national codes and guide consistent, high-quality installation practices across the country. TIAC’s Governance Committee made significant strides this year to strengthen the association’s leadership and accountability. The committee focused on improving board practices and governance by developing clear job descriptions for all board positions and committee chairs, as well as refining key policies, procedures, and bylaws. TIAC’s Membership Committee focused on enhancing the member experience and strengthening engagement across the association. The committee developed and published updated Member Kits tailored to each membership category, providing clear information and resources. The committee also began implementing a new member portal, designed to serve as a centralized hub for resources, events, and key communications—making it easier than ever for members to stay connected and informed. While there isn’t space to capture everything, it’s important to acknowledge the outstanding work of all our committees this year. In addition to the highlights above, the Innovators, Conference, Training Providers, TIAC Times, and QAC committees have each played a vital role in advancing TIAC’s mission and delivering greater value to our members.
Government relations and advocacy also remained a top priority. On behalf of TIAC, I’ve been working to build relationships with key players both provincially and at the federal level, including Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the National Research Council (NRC), the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC), and others. TIAC’s goal is to ensure that the voice of the mechanical insulation industry is represented—and that the role of mechanical insulation is clearly reflected in Canada’s evolving energy and climate policy.
Despite airline disruptions, this year’s Conference in Whitehorse, Yukon, was a great success. Members from across the country showed up with their full energy and enthusiasm. It was an excellent opportunity to reconnect, learn, and explore our beautiful country together. We’re grateful to everyone who made the trip! If you missed it, we hope to see you next year in Québec City, August 19–22, 2026. During the Whitehorse conference, we were also pleased to welcome Mathieu Hamel, Directeur Général of Isolation Élite inc., as TIAC’s new president. Mathieu offers a new perspective grounded in the principles that have contributed to TIAC’s success over the past 63 years. I’d also like to personally thank Rob Bertram for his outstanding leadership over the past two years. Rob’s leadership has had an incredible impact on TIAC. During his time as president, Rob brought drive, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to progress. He challenged our board to step up, pushed for higher standards, and led meaningful change that strengthened both our governance and the association. Rob has been a positive and inspiring presence, and I’m personally grateful for his support. We’re fortunate to have him continue as past-president, and I want to sincerely thank him for his contributions to TIAC, to our board, and to the future of our industry.
As we look ahead to 2026 under new leadership, I’m confident that TIAC is well-positioned for another year of achievement and progress. With a fresh perspective, strong momentum, and a growing network of engaged members, the opportunities in front of us have never been greater. I encourage every member to get involved—attend the conference, join a committee, share your voice, and help shape what comes next.
As always, please reach out if there is anything I can do to support you and your companies. ▪
