Another Canadian Mechanical and Plumbing Exposition (CMPX) trade show has come and gone. After being postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, the industry had to wait two years for its return, and the 2022 edition of the show returned in full force.
Over the three days, March 23 to 25, the CMPX show was host to around 9000 people, and over 500 exhibitors covered the trade show floor with its booths and products. In addition, the trade show featured a Learning Forum, where free educational programs were on display. The programs ranged from live podcast discussions with tradespeople to panel discussions, educational seminars and regulation updates.
Skilled Trades Ontario
While all the educational seminars deserve recognition and should be highlighted, the “Introduction to Skills Trade Ontario” seminar had some interesting notes. John Vander Doelen, director of policy, research and standard at Skilled Trades Ontario (STO), hosted the seminar and gave an insight into the current introduction schedule of Skilled Trades Ontario.
Of the many topics discussed, some that stood out were the updates made to the exam and certification process, updates on compulsory trades, and the adaption of members of the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) accounts to STO.
Speaking on the exam and certification process, a certificate of qualification issued by OCOT will still be considered a certificate of qualification issued by STO and can be used for compliance and enforcement purposes. In addition, if members hold a certificate of qualification in a non-compulsory trade for which a Red Seal examination is available, they may be eligible to challenge the Red Seal examination to obtain the Red Seal endorsement for their existing certificate of qualification.
Additionally, members who completed their apprenticeship in a trade were given an update with a certifying exam. STO will not be operating on a membership model, and the journeyperson candidates class is no longer available, explained Vander Doelen. However, when you complete your apprenticeship program in a trade with a certifying exam and you are issued a certificate of apprenticeship by the ministry of labour, training and skills development, STO will automatically issue you a provisional certificate of qualification. This provisional certificate of qualification is valid for 12 months. If you practice a compulsory trade, this provisional certificate of qualification allows you to continue to work while you challenge the certifying exam for your trade. Your information will continue to appear on the public register, which will automatically be updated to show that you hold a provisional certificate of qualification.
Notable faces
At this year’s CMPX, Todd Smith, Ontario’s minister of energy and MPP for the Bay of Quinte, Dennis Kozina, show chairman (Emerson) and Joanna Woo, show vice-chair (EMCO Corp.), participated in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It is an honour to have minister Smith join us at the show’s opening and we look forward to being able to connect in person as an industry again and show appreciation for the support the Ontario government has given our growing industry,” said Martin Luymes, vice president of government and stakeholder relations for the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI).
Francesco Sorbara, MP of Vaughan-Woodbridge and parliamentary secretary to the minister of national revenue at the House of Commons, also attended the show. Visiting on the final day of the show, Sorbara made his way around the trade show floor, observing booths and interacting with various products on display. Speaking on the show, Sorbara stated, “HRAI and CIPH and their members are leading the charge to improve the energy efficiency of Canada’s buildings and are the backbone of the buildings we live and work in.”
CIPH Gala
In addition to the trade show, the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) hosted a gala in support of Habitat for Humanity. Held at the Intercontinental Toronto Centre on March 22, over 300 industry colleagues and guests were in attendance to celebrate 27 years of partnership between CIPH and Habitat for Humanity Canada. The evening was a success highlighted by the fact that $18,000 was raised that evening from the hybrid silent auction. Donated items included Maple Leaf tickets, a bbq, a smoker, numerous getaways and many other fantastic items. Over 30 CIPH members donated products or cash which went towards Habitat for Humanity Canada.
According to CIPH, the contributions made by its members for 2020-2021 totalled $2.8 million, which surpassed the campaign goal of $2 million.
Jointly produced by HRAI and CIPH, the CMPX trade show will make its return in 2024. Dates and locations haven’t been finalized yet, but information will be released when available.