In the Air - HRAI Industry News

This week’s updates include skilled trades supports, safety and compliance requirements, warranty changes, and approaching program and code deadlines.

Federal — New skilled-trades supports announced

Employment and Social Development Canada announced new skilled-trades measures on September 18. Eligible tradespeople completing an apprenticeship and Red Seal certification will be able to apply later this fall for a $5,000 completion bonus, retroactive to certifications received on or after April 1, 2025. The Build Canada Apprenticeship Service will also offer up to $10,000 to small and medium-sized employers hiring a first-year apprentice, while organizations interested in delivering the Youth Placements program have until October 23, 2026 to submit an expression of interest. Read more . Read HRAI’s letter to Minister DeBrusin

Federal — Counter-tariffs affect HVAC/R and refrigeration equipment

Canada's counter-tariffs on specified U.S.-origin goods took effect September 8, 2026. The list includes certain split-system air conditioners and heat pumps at 15 per cent, some compressors and fans at 25 per cent, and specified refrigeration equipment at rates of 25 or 50 per cent. Members importing U.S.-origin equipment or components should confirm tariff classification, origin and landed-cost impacts. Read more . HRAI continues to urge the Federal Government to resume trade negotiations with the U.S. for the benefit of the Canadian HVAC/R industry and consumers at large. Watch HRAI press conference here.

British Columbia — Technical Safety BC clarifies compliance and enforcement fees

Technical Safety BC issued a bulletin on September 22 explaining Compliance and Enforcement Fees for regulated technologies including gas, boilers, pressure vessels and refrigeration. The fees can be charged for significant non-compliance in addition to measures such as compliance orders, discipline orders or monetary penalties. Contractors may face added costs where permitting, certification, unauthorized work or other compliance failures require significant regulatory action. Read more

British Columbia — Gas-code and carbon-monoxide-alarm consultation

Technical Safety BC is seeking industry input on adopting the 2025 CSA B149 gas-code series and other updated gas standards, along with possible new carbon-monoxide-alarm requirements for residential buildings with gas appliances. The proposals could affect new installations, replacements and major alterations, as well as the role of gasfitters and licensed contractors in checking for CO alarms. Read more

Saskatchewan — Code-adoption workshops have October deadlines

Saskatchewan is proposing to adopt the 2025 National Building, Energy, Plumbing and Fire Codes on January 1, 2027 and is offering free workshops on the changes. The sessions provide contractors and other code users an opportunity to prepare for the proposed transition. Read more

Quebec-Six-year warranty for new heat pumps and air conditioners starts October 5

Beginning October 5, 2026, new heat pumps and air conditioners sold or long-term leased to consumers in Quebec will carry a six-year statutory good-working-order warranty. Covered repairs include required parts and labour and reasonable transportation or shipping costs. Merchants must also display the warranty duration near the advertised price, creating new obligations for businesses selling covered HVAC equipment. Read more

New Brunswick — Apprenticeship technical-training tuition eliminated

New Brunswick announced on September 11 that apprenticeship-level technical-training tuition has been eliminated. The former fee was $85 per week, with the province estimating average savings of about $2,720 over an apprenticeship. The change lowers the direct cost of progressing through apprenticeship training for HVAC/R and other skilled trades. Read more

Prince Edward Island — New registry verifies skilled-trades credentials

PEI launched an online skilled-trades credential registry on September 16. Employers, contractors and homeowners can use it to verify whether an individual holds a PEI Certificate of Qualification or Red Seal endorsement and identify the trade in which they are certified. The tool reduces administrative steps around credential verification and supports labour mobility for certified tradespeople. Read more

Newfoundland and Labrador — Expanded program opens October 1

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing announced on September 22 that its expanded Home Repair Program will begin accepting applications October 1, 2026. The former Home Energy Savings Program has been combined with the program, with heating and energy-efficiency repairs explicitly eligible. Eligible homeowners can receive a forgivable loan of up to $10,000, or $13,000 in Labrador, subject to program income and eligibility requirements. Read more

If we missed something you think is relevant, we want to hear from you. Please send comments, questions or feedback to Perry Chao, Director of Regulatory Affairs (pchao@hrai.ca); Abhi Kantamneni, Director of Government Relations (akantamneni@hrai.ca); or Martin Luymes, Vice-President, Government and Stakeholder Relations (mluymes@hrai.ca).