As we welcome January and the start of 2026, here’s to fresh beginnings, renewed motivation, and the opportunities a new year brings. Here’s to a year of growth, innovation, and continued excellence. Wishing everyone a productive, safe, and inspiring start to 2026!
Stay tuned – and stay informed – with Air Waves. | |
Membership Renewal Fees Due Now for 2026
ORAC’s 2026 membership renewal fees are due for members to remain in good standing.
Contractor Member fees remain $500 + HST, and Associate Member fees are $1,500 + HST for the year.
Members are asked to pay the renewal fee by January 31, 2026 to maintain access to key benefits, including the BPV Program, P-Drawings, First-Year Apprentice Ready-to-Hire List, technical resources, and all ORAC events.
For assistance, please email contact@orac.ca or call 905-670-0010
Membership can be renewed online by clicking the link below.
Renew Now
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ORAC is proud to host consistent Virtual Apprentice Intake Program Info Sessions for the Public
In November, ORAC hosted its first public Apprentice Intake Information Session. By opening this session beyond colleges to anyone interested, ORAC provided clear insight into the skilled trades pathway, the HVACR apprenticeship process, and answers to frequently asked questions. Parents, students, maintenance mechanics, and career-changers joined the session, underscoring the strong and growing interest in HVACR careers and ORAC’s leadership in supporting the future of the industry. Due to the overwhelmingly positive response, these webinars will now be offered on a regular basis, ensuring ongoing access to education, guidance, and resources for those considering a career in the skilled trades.
Our next virtual session is February 5th at 3:00pm - Click Here to Register
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ICI / Non-ICI Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
The MOU pertaining to the 2025 ICI Construction / Non-ICI Construction, Service Maintenance CBA is available on ORAC.ca. The Labour Burden Calculations and Rate Scale Sheet effective May 1, 2025 are also available. The new CBA is currently in the process of being updated and will be distributed once complete.
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Residential Bargaining
Residential ratification voting for the GTA agreement has been completed and new Rate Scale Sheets will be available on the ORAC website soon. Bargaining for the Outside-GTA agreement will begin in December.
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ORAC Holiday Heroes Drive
Thank you to all of our generous ORAC members who participated in this year’s Holiday Heroes Toy Drive, in partnership with York Regional Police and The Salvation Army. Because of you, children and families in need will experience joy, warmth, and the magic of the holiday season. Your generosity will create lasting smiles and cherished moments during a time when it means the most.
Kilmer Environmental Inc., Robcan Mechanical, Pure Mechanical Group Inc., Ambient Mechanical Limited, Canadian Coil Technologies, JTAC, Yorkland Controls, Alltemp, Copeland, Ward Crane Rentals Ltd., J.L Refrigeration, Springbank Mechanical, Nortek Mechanical Services, Modern Niagara, Black and McDonald, Keepright Refrigeration, Carrier Enterprise, North Mechanical, DX Systems Solutions Inc., Dafco Filtration, Johnstone Supply, Yorktowne Air Inc., Office Central, Smith and Long, Sunbelt Rentals, OPUS Mechanical, Ontario Construction Secretariat, E.S.Fox, Xtra Mechanical, VR Mechanical, Ainsworth Inc., HRAI.
View Highlight Video | View all Photos
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Winter First-Year Apprentice Intake Program
Open for Applications Until February 28, 2026
ORAC’s Apprentice Intake Program is open for applications from December 1 to February 28, and the interest has been strong with over 250+ applications received to date.
If you know someone considering a career in the HVAC/R trade, encourage them to review the application requirements and FAQs on our website before applying.
This is a great opportunity for individuals looking to start their 313A Commercial HVACR Apprenticeship journey with Ontario’s leading union contractors.
Applications must be submitted online at www.orac.ca/apprentice by February 28 to be considered for this intake period. Interviews will take place in March, with final selections on the Ready to Hire List by April 1.
Reach out to ORAC's Apprentice Intake Coordinator, Taborah Campbell at tcampbell@orac.ca with any questions.
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Ready-to-Hire First-Year Apprentices - Available Now
Looking to strengthen your workforce for the future?
ORAC’s Ready-to-Hire (RTH) List features pre-qualified first-year apprentice candidates who are ready to start work now. Each candidate has been carefully vetted through ORAC’s Apprentice Intake process, including application review, testing, and in-person interviews conducted by the ORAC Apprentice Intake Committee alongside fellow contractor volunteers.
Hiring from the RTH List allows contractors to confidently bring on motivated entry-level talent and invest in developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople within their organization. It’s a proactive way to build loyalty, transfer knowledge, and support the long-term sustainability of our industry.
Click here to access the Ready-to-Hire List
| | APPRENTICE INTAKE INTERVIEWS - CONTRACTOR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! | |
Contractor Volunteers are requested to assist with completing intake interviews. You will be provided with a standardized interview template. Help shape the future of the industry and meet up and coming apprentice candidates.
IN PERSON - GTA CANDIDATES: March 17, 18, 19
9:00am-12:00pm | 12:30pm-4:00pm
Hilton Garden Toronto/Brampton - 2648 Steeles Ave E, Brampton, ON L6S 6J9
VIRTUAL - OUTSIDE OF GTA CANDIDATES: March 16 & 23
9:00am-12:00pm | 12:30pm-4:00pm
Email Taborah at tcampbell@orac.ca with your availability
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Celebrating Member Milestones
ORAC is proud to recognize members who reached key tenure milestones at the end of 2025.
From five years to decades of membership, these milestones reflect a lasting commitment to the HVACR industry and to ORAC’s strong contractor community. Celebrating member tenure is one of the ways we say thank you - for your loyalty, leadership, and continued support of the association and the future of our trade.
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CMPX Tradeshow
March 25 - 27, 2026 | Metro Toronto Convention Centre
| | ORAC Association - Booth #1245
Copeland - Booth #1503
Yorkland Controls - Booth #928
Kilmer Environmental - Booth #1123
Lennox - Booth #1723 | | |
Bitzer - Booth #1330
RefPlus - Booth #1606
AllTemp - Booth #1703
Hospitality Reception:
O'Dell HVAC Group - The Pint Public House - March 26th
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ORAC's 59th Annual General Meeting | Quebec City | May 14 - 17, 2026
Join ORAC in Old Québec for our 2026 AGM at the iconic Fairmont Château Frontenac.
The week kicks off Thursday with an Associate Welcome Cocktail Reception in the historic Rose Room.
Friday night features a Sugar Shack Chic experience - an elevated, high-energy take on the traditional cabane à sucre, brought to life by Painchaud Productions, complete with immersive entertainment and Québec flair.
Saturday concludes with the President’s Gala - Evening of Darkness at the Fairmont.
Optional excursions will be available on Friday and Saturday.
Registration is $899 per person, with a special ORAC group rate of $399 per night at the Fairmont Château Frontenac (plus applicable taxes and fees).
The AGM registration booklet and event website will be available in the coming weeks - stay tuned.
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Save the Date
Spring Forum & Golf | Richmond Hill Golf Course | May 27
Charity Golf Tournament | Copper Creek Golf Course | July 30
| | Brazing is now open for 2026
February 26th - 10 Spots Remaining | When 2026 dates are released, they will be available HERE. | |  | |
Off-Site Brazing provides the option to have a TSSA inspector come directly to your shop to witness your technician’s braze and approve the certification (provided by ORAC).
To register for an Off-Site Brazing certificate, please click HERE.
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Chiller & Cooling Tower Operation and Maintenance of Chillers
January 10 - 11, 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 8:30am to 3:30pm
March 7 - 8, 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 8:30am to 3:30pm
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The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has published a consultation paper titled Protecting Workers from the Underground Economy in the Construction Industry Consultation, which is now available on the Ontario Regulatory Registry (ORR) website. The link to the ORR posting can be found here: Protecting Workers from the Underground Economy in the Construction Industry Consultation | regulatoryregistry.gov.on.ca
This paper presents a series of questions regarding liability for contractors should a subcontractor fail to pay their employee in the construction industry.
Your insights and feedback are vital to ensuring that our approach reflects the needs and perspectives of those impacted. We invite you to review the consultation paper and share your comments by February 2, 2026. If you are a membership organization, please feel free to share with your members.
Please submit your comments to: MLITSD.Submissions@ontario.ca
Thank you in advance for your engagement and contributions.
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New workplace legislation and compliance deadlines for Ontario employers | |
This legal update summarizes recent and upcoming changes to workplace laws and compliance deadlines applicable to Ontario employers.
This update highlights key items from Bill 30, Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025, which received royal assent on November 27, 2025, but it is not an exhaustive summary of this legislation. For more information about Bill 30, see our previous update Ontario Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 proposes further changes to workplace laws.
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ORAC’s Apprentice Intake Program receives over 600 applications each year, using a comprehensive screening, testing, and interview process to identify the most qualified first-year apprentice candidates.
Through this streamlined approach, ORAC helps meet contractor demand across Ontario’s unionized HVACR workforce - resulting in approximately 150 successful first-year apprentice hires annually.
The program also saves contractors significant time and effort.
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Candidates on the Ready-to-Hire list have already been vetted for math and science fundamentals, mechanical aptitude, a valid G-class driver’s licence, and many bring relevant experience and the right attitude for the job.
Contractors don’t need to sort through hundreds of resumes or conduct countless interviews - ORAC has already narrowed the field to the best candidates.
With growing buzz around skilled trades careers and the earning potential within HVACR, interest in the program continues to climb.
Learn more about the Apprentice Intake Program:
www.orac.ca/apprentice
| | Paul Wrigley - Managing Director | | |
Aimee White - Manager, Programs & Communications
(E) awhite@orac.ca
(P) 905.670.0010 x 103
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Taborah Campbell- Apprentice Intake Coordinator
(E) tcampbell@orac.ca
(P) 905.670.0010 x 106
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Natalia Pacholczyk - Events & Marketing Coordinator
(E) npacho@orac.ca
(P) 905.670.0010 x 101
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