HRAI Meets with BC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
On May 17th, Martin Luymes, VP Government and Stakeholder Relations, met with the Honourable George Heyman, BC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, as well as Associate Deputy Minister Jeremy Hewitt, to discuss the HVACR industry’s role in the CleanBC Roadmap, including the recently launched Future Ready: Skills for the Jobs of Tomorrow Plan.
In the meeting Luymes advised the Minister that the industry is fully prepared to engage in discussions about the role of HVACR technologies in the transition to zero carbon emissions in buildings, but also noted that consultation is a two-way street: the recently introduced Provincial Sales Tax (PST) amendments (to incentivize purchases of heat pumps versus gas-fired heating appliances) created some real adjustment problems for the industry and reflected a disregard by government for the concerns of the industry. The Minister acknowledged that, while confidentiality issues may explain the lack of advance notice, industry concerns were legitimate and the government would work harder to engage in a meaningful way going forward. Mr. Luymes cited recent consultations with the City of Vancouver as a positive example of government leaders amending plans to accommodate the real concerns of industry.
Also discussed was the need for a more expedited approach to developing trades training in the province to meet the demands of an emerging residential heat pump industry, as well as a need for more public education on the benefits of specific HVAC technologies in relation not only to reducing carbon emissions, but also to improving climate resiliency in buildings and enhancing indoor air quality, both of which are mounting concerns in BC.
For more information, contact Martin Luymes at 1-800-267-2231 ext. 235 or email mluymes@hrai.ca.
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