By / Tristan Bertram • Director of Industry Affairs • 825-522-4834 • tristan.bertram@tiac.ca
Canada’s political and economic direction appears to be shifting. After years of debate over major projects, regulatory timelines, energy policy, and interprovincial disagreements, governments are placing greater emphasis on attracting investment, coordinating approvals, and getting projects built. That does not mean every announcement will become a reality; however, the direction matters. Canada is working to expand energy and trade infrastructure and create greater certainty for investors. Recent agreements with Alberta and British Columbia provide some of the clearest examples of this shift.
Canada and Alberta have established an MOU covering energy production, electricity development, industrial carbon pricing, carbon capture, and a proposed pipeline to the West Coast. The proposed pipeline and Pathways carbon-capture project remain subject to further review and consultation, but the broader agreement signals an effort to provide more certainty around major energy investment.
The Canada–British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement takes a similarly broad approach. It includes LNG development, the Red Chris Mine expansion, the North Coast Transmission Line, ports, and major transportation infrastructure. The federal government has committed $3.9 billion toward the first two phases of the transmission line and up to $3 billion for the George Massey Tunnel replacement. It has also committed to working with communities and First Nations to advance several LNG projects.
This direction is not limited to Western Canada. Ontario has signed a federal-provincial agreement intended to reduce duplication in major-project assessments while continuing environmental protections and Indigenous consultation. Québec has secured a 10-year, $10-billion federal partnership focused on hospitals, post-secondary institutions, community infrastructure, housing, and public transit. The priorities vary by province, but the broader pattern is becoming increasingly consistent: governments are looking for ways to coordinate more effectively and create the conditions for investment.
The federal Major Projects Office (MPO) is advancing multiple initiatives across nuclear energy, LNG, critical minerals, and transportation infrastructure. The government estimates these projects represent more than $135 billion in potential investment and over 150,000 jobs. The first Canada Investment Summit, scheduled for September 14–15 in Toronto, is another part of this strategy. The Summit aims to bring together global investors, business leaders, and major Canadian investors to secure investment in energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and other priority sectors. The federal government has set a goal of raising $1 trillion in total investment over five years and reports securing $97 billion in foreign investment commitments over the past year. The real test will be how much of that interest becomes financed, approved, and built.
From a political perspective, the important change may be less about any individual project and more about governments’ capacity to work together. If even a portion of the anticipated investment moves forward, it could generate significant new business and employment opportunities across the mechanical insulation industry. However, more activity will also increase pressure on an industry already facing workforce challenges. TIAC is working to ensure the mechanical insulation industry is ready.
With funding from the Government of Alberta, TIAC has developed a foundational skills training program for the Heat and Frost Insulator trade. As discussed in previous editions, the program combines accessible online learning with practical, hands-on training. More than 300 participants have gained access to the program to date, and we are exploring opportunities to continue offering the training after the current grant project concludes.
Quality must also remain a priority. TIAC’s Quality Assurance Certificate program provides a framework for verifying that mechanical insulation installations meet project specifications. Our goal is to support provincial associations interested in adopting the program and create greater consistency across Canada. At the same time, TIAC’s Technical Committee continues to update the Mechanical Insulation Best Practices Guide, helping our industry maintain the standards needed to deliver increasingly complex and performance-driven projects.
There is reason for optimism, but there is also work to do. Governments can create the conditions for investment, investors can provide the capital, but the construction industry is ultimately responsible for delivering the projects. Our responsibility is to prepare by recruiting and training workers, preserving high standards, and ensuring mechanical insulation is represented in the conversations shaping Canada’s next period of growth. Your membership makes this work possible. By supporting TIAC, offering your insight, and participating in our programs and committees, you help ensure our industry is prepared, represented, and positioned to benefit from the opportunities ahead. Thank you for your continued support of TIAC and our collective work to strengthen our industry across Canada. ▪
