By Jeremy Hallman, SMACNA-BC Executive Director
If there has been one constant so far in 2026, it’s uncertainty. Every week seems to bring another headline about tariffs, trade negotiations, or the possibility of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Whether it’s fuel prices, material costs, or business confidence, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to predict what tomorrow will bring.
Fortunately, one thing that has remained consistent is the resilience of our industry. While there is certainly more caution than we’ve seen over the past few years, most of the contractors I’ve spoken with continue to report steady workloads through the remainder of 2026. Conversations have shifted from “How do we find enough people?” to “What does 2027 look like?” Tightening margins, increased competition, and ongoing uncertainty have become common themes, making it more important than ever to plan ahead rather than simply react.
One positive development has been the continued progress toward British Columbia’s prompt payment legislation. While the enforcement framework is still being finalized, it remains encouraging to see momentum on an issue that has affected contractors for many years. I would also like to thank the BC Construction Association (BCCA) for continuing to advocate on behalf of the industry and keep members informed as the legislation moves toward implementation. Read more on page 8.
Recent Events
Our 57th Annual AGM & Convention at the Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Kelowna, held May 7–9, was another tremendous success. I would like to thank everyone who attended, along with our sponsors, speakers, and, of course, Leanne, whose hard work behind the scenes helped make the weekend possible.
One of the highlights for me was Friday night’s Fun Night. It was great to see so many members embrace the “dress-up” theme, and our Name That Tune hosts did an outstanding job of getting everyone involved—including the kids. Judging by the laughter (and a little dancing on chairs), I think it’s safe to say the evening was a success.
Congratulations to Angelo Paris on becoming SMACNA-BC’s President, and to Al Benning, Dave Brown, Mark McLaren, Phil McDonald, and Peter Sove on their respective re-elections. Thank you all for your continued commitment to the association and for volunteering your time on behalf of the industry.
For better or worse, we continued our tradition of holding the AGM & Convention over Mother’s Day weekend. This year, we recognized all of the mothers attending the President’s Dinner with a flower on the final evening. It was a small gesture, but one that was very well received and a fitting way to acknowledge the important role they play in supporting our industry. Photos from the AGM and Convention begin on page 6.
SMACNA Council Meeting – Quebec City
In early June, I had the opportunity to attend the SMACNA Council of Chapter Representatives meeting in Quebec City alongside Mark McLaren of Ridge Sheet Metal Co. The meeting brought together chapter executives and contractor leaders from across North America.
The common message was that although every region has unique challenges, many of the issues are shared: labour availability, economic uncertainty, tariffs, tightening margins, workforce development, and the practical use of artificial intelligence.
SMACNA also provided updates on several technical standards currently under development, including the 5th Edition HVAC Duct Construction Standards and new guidance covering industrial duct construction, kitchen ventilation, sound and vibration, and other specialty topics. These resources continue to demonstrate the value of SMACNA membership.
One of the most interesting presentations focused on the construction economy. While modest growth is still forecast, contractors across North America are experiencing conditions very similar to those in British Columbia. Work remains steady, but bidding has become more competitive, and uncertainty continues to influence long-term planning.
On the final day, a panel discussion featuring three residential contractors and fellow Chapter Executive Susan Miller from St. Louis was one of the highlights of the conference. The discussion focused on the residential market, where the panelists estimated they hold approximately 75% of the single-family home market in the St. Louis area.
I’ll admit I had my hand in the air more than once. My initial assumption was that they were referring to high-end custom homes or larger residential projects, but that wasn’t the case. They explained that they successfully compete for everything from entry-level homes to custom residences, while also building long-term relationships through service agreements, preventative maintenance, and duct cleaning.
We also had some very interesting discussion around staffing. They explained that residential service mechanics could generally transition onto commercial projects when workloads slowed, but moving commercial mechanics into residential work was much more difficult. One reason was customer relationships. They shared that many homeowners request the same technician by name and are willing to wait weeks for someone they know and trust rather than have another technician assigned.
Listening to their approach left me thinking that there may be opportunities within our own market that deserve a closer look. While British Columbia is certainly different from Missouri, it reinforced that there are successful business models worth learning from, even when they come from very different regions.
Looking Ahead
September is shaping up to be a busy month for SMACNA-BC, starting with our 41st Annual Golf Classic at Northview Golf & Country Club on September 11. We have introduced several changes to the tournament format and sponsorship opportunities based on member feedback, and we look forward to another great day.
On September 17, SMACNA National, VETS Group, and representatives from Canadian Mental Health Association will be at the Civic Hotel in Surrey to present the SMACNA Canada Mental Health Summit. The event will bring together contractors, workers, and industry leaders for education, conversation, and community-building around mental health in the trades. More information is available at smacna.org/business-resources/business-management/safety-health/canada-mental-health-summit and on page 18 of this issue.
Later that evening, Francis Petit, director of engineering at VETS Group, will discuss the recent WorkSafeBC dust collection changes and what they mean for contractors. More information about the upcoming changes is available at worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/hazards-exposures/combustible-dust.
Weather permitting, Leanne and I hope to host the dinner meeting reception on the rooftop patio at the Civic Hotel before moving downstairs for dinner and Francis’s presentation. Please arrive at 5:30 if you would like to join us there.
As always, thank you for your continued support of SMACNA-BC. The strength of our association comes from the willingness of our members, volunteers, and industry partners to contribute their time and expertise. I look forward to seeing many of you in September. Until then, I hope everyone has the opportunity to enjoy some well-earned time with family and friends. ■
