By Tristan Bertram, Director of Industry Affairs
825-522-4834 • tristan.bertram@tiac.ca
This spring, TIAC is proud to launch the 3rd annual Contractor Excellence Awards—something I genuinely look forward to every year, especially seeing the projects showcased and voted on at our Annual Conference.
Across our industry, there is an incredible amount of high-quality work being done every day. With complex installs, tight timelines, and challenging conditions—these are projects that require real skill, experience, and problem-solving. Mechanical insulation plays a critical role in our built environment, but the craftsmanship behind it rarely receives the recognition it deserves. The Contractor Excellence Awards are meant to highlight exactly that—the quality of installation, the complexity of the work, and the pride that comes with doing the job right. This isn’t about the biggest or most high-profile project. It’s about execution.
We’ve already seen what excellence looks like through past winners. In 2024, Tight 5 Contracting Ltd. from British Columbia (BCICA) delivered a standout project at Lions Gate Hospital—an acute care facility with a wide range of systems, including chilled water, steam, ductwork, and soundproofing.
In 2025, Thomas Kanata Inc., based in Alberta (TIAA), demonstrated excellence on the LNG Canada project in Kitimat. This was one of the largest private investments in Canadian history, featuring highly technical cryogenic systems operating at -162°C, massive piping systems, and strict QA/QC requirements across more than 1.5 million manhours.
These were two very different projects, both demonstrating the same thing: quality and care in execution.
That’s exactly what these awards are about. Whether your project is large or small, what matters is how it was delivered. The attention to detail, the workmanship, and the pride your team takes in the finished product—that’s what we want to recognize. We’re encouraging all TIAC contractor members across the country to get involved. This is your opportunity to showcase your work, highlight your team, and earn some well-deserved bragging rights.
If your team has completed a project you’re proud of, submit it for this year’s awards! The process is simple: just fill out the online form via the QR code. Not submitting? Attend the conference to support your peers, experience outstanding work, and vote for the project that inspires you most. Our goal is for these awards to become something the industry genuinely values—a recognition that carries weight across Canada. We have a strong industry, we do important work, and we should take the time to recognize the people doing it right.
I’m excited to see this year’s submissions and, even more importantly, to celebrate the exceptional teams behind each project. Let’s continue to set the standard for excellence together. Join us in August in Quebec City as we celebrate the achievements that move our industry forward and reveal the 2026 winner! ▪
