Welcome to Air Waves – ORAC’s New Monthly Member Newsletter | | |
We’re excited to introduce Air Waves, a new monthly newsletter created in response to member feedback calling for more streamlined, concise communication. This newsletter is your one-stop source for key updates and insights that matter to our industry and your business.
Each issue will cover important topics such as the First-Year Apprentice Intake Program, Industry News, Government Relations, Training Opportunities, Employment and Labour updates, Event Recaps, and highlights of what’s ahead. You’ll also find useful facts about ORAC and other relevant information to keep you informed and engaged.
Have suggestions or ideas for topics you'd like to see in future issues? We'd love to hear from you! Email Natalia at npacho@orac.ca with your feedback.
Stay tuned – and stay informed – with Air Waves.
| | Candidates on the ORAC First-Year Apprentice Ready-to-Hire List have gone through a strenuous application, testing, and interview process; resulting in being approved as qualified first-year apprentice candidates by the ORAC Apprentice Intake Committee. | The program aims to build a top-tier workforce for UA 787 contractors. | |
Ready to Hire a First-Year Apprentice?
The current Ready to Hire List is updated as of June 23rd, 2025
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Contractor Volunteers Needed!
Contractor Volunteers are requested to assist with completing intake interviews. You will be provided with a standardize interview template. Help shape the future of the industry and meet up and coming apprentice candidates.
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IN PERSON: July 15, 16, 17
9:00am-12:00pm | 12:30pm-4:00pm .
VIRTUAL: July 14 & 18
9:00am-12:00pm
| Email Taborah at tcampbell@orac.ca with your availability | | The 58th AGM in Las Vegas was unforgettable — from dazzling showgirls and Rat Pack tunes to Elvis sightings and an incredible Absinthe dinner. | |
Attendees kicked off the weekend with a Welcome Reception, followed by dinner at Stanton Social Prime and a spectacular showing of Absinthe at Caesars Palace. Saturday began with our formal Annual General Meeting and concluded with the President’s Gala, where outgoing President Kevin Spencer (Modern Niagara) officially passed the torch to incoming President Jim McAughey (Standard Mechanical).
Throughout the weekend, guests explored beyond the Strip with unforgettable excursions, including a Red Rock Canyon Jeep Tour, Downtown Foodie & Cocktail Tour, Neon & Nature Helicopter Ride, Adrenaline Mountain UTV & Shooting Range experience, and a guided Hoover Dam Tour.
| Thank you to our amazing sponsors Master, Yorkland, and Kilmer Environmental along with all the members who joined us this year. | | |
The Rat Pack tipped their hats as outgoing president, Kevin Spencer, took his final bow:
Frank: “You did it your way—and what a way it was.”
Dean: “Here’s to a legacy that’ll never go out of style.” Sammy: “A true headliner—we’ll miss your rhythm at the top.”
Then the King stepped in, ready to rock:
Elvis: “Welcome to the new president Jim McAughey - lookin’ sharp and ready to take care of business. Long live the future of ORAC!”
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The ORAC AGM is not only a valuable forum for industry updates and leadership transitions — it’s also an incredible opportunity for members to connect, unwind, and enjoy a memorable experience in a unique destination. We hope to see you next year.
Save the Date:
ORAC's 59th AGM in Quebec City: May 14 - 17, 2026
ORAC's 60th AGM in Bermuda: April 28 - May 1, 2027
| | The ORAC Spring Forum Event at Richmond Hill Golf Course was a hole-in-one! | |
Congratulations to the Winners!
Best Ball:
Don Baran | Dolores Hickey |
Brock Horton | Chris Piatek
Most Honest:
Zaki Abedeen | Cory Tanaka | John Iozzo
Putting Contest:
Nate Goulbourne | John Grier | Rocco Morra
Longest Drive:
Daniel Paynter | Daniela Carnovale
Closest to the Pin:
Joe Laine | Dolores Hickey
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Thank you to our sponsors!
Platinum: Master HVAC-R
Gold: Yorkland Controls, O'Dell HVAC Group
Silver: Carrier Enterprise, Copeland, Armstrong, Ambient Mechanical
Holes: ES Fox, Dafco Filtration Group, Office Central, Springbank Mechanical, Ontario Heating & AC, Lifting Gear Hire, Pure Mechanical, Black & McDonald, Nortek Mechanical, Grayco Air, Rosetown Central, Kilmer Environmental
| | Thank you to our Speakers! | | Robert Kavcic - Economic Outlook | | Craig MacDonald - JTAC Update | | Kevin Gill - A2L Refrigerant Update | | We are officially SOLD OUT for golf spots at this year’s ORAC Charity Golf Tournament! Your support is what makes this event such a success year after year. | Still want to be part of the day? There are Dinner-Only tickets available if you'd like to join us for the evening festivities, networking, and a great cause. | We are also still accepting Hole Sponsorships, a great opportunity to promote your company, connect with the industry, and support the event in a meaningful way. | |
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Location: Copper Creek Golf Course
11191 ON-27, Kleinburg, ON L0J 1C0
| Registration: 9:00 AM | Shotgun Start: 11:00 AM Dinner & Reception: 4:00 PM | | Thank you to our Sponsors! | | |
Upcoming Events:
Education Symposium
October 2, 2025 | Copper Creek Golf Club, Kleinberg
Fall Forum
November 6, 2025 | Woodbine Racetrack, Etobicoke
Holiday Toy Drive
December 12, 2025 | ORAC Office, Vaughan
CMPX Tradeshow
March 25 - 27, 2026 | Metro Toronto Convention Centre
ORAC's 59th AGM
May 14 - 17, 2026 | Quebec City, Chateau Frontenac
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ORAC Scholarship Program Returns for it's 4th Year
45 x $1,000 Scholarships Available to Children and Grandchildren of Contractor Members
At ORAC, we are committed to building a highly qualified workforce, which begins with the next generation of students entering College and University.
We are supporting employees of our member companies by providing children, wards, and grandchildren of full-time, salaried workers with the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to assist with their costs associated with attending post-secondary school.
Applicants must be planning to attend University or College in Fall of 2025 or January 2026.
The scholarships will be awarded to qualified students enrolled in a course leading to a University degree or Community College diploma. The award will be based on academic achievement in the previous academic year, extracurricular activity, work experience, employment, completeness of the application and supporting material. Course of study will also be an important aspect of selection, with preference being given to those showing interest in the construction industry.
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Applications Open: July 1, 2025
Deadline to Apply: August 31, 2025
Recipients Notified: September 26, 2025
Application Link
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Ontario Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 proposes further changes to workplace laws | |
Author: Brian Wood
On May 28, Ontario introduced its latest round of workplace amendments - Bill 30, Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025. Bill 30’s proposed amendments affect the following statutes:
- Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA)
- Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA)
- City of Toronto Act, 2006
- Municipal Act, 2001
- Ontario Immigration Act, 2015
- Planning Act
| | | | | ORAC joined HRAI’s Lobby Day at Queen’s Park, where HVACR leaders met with MPPs and officials to emphasize the industry’s essential role in advancing Ontario’s climate, economic, and health goals through a united policy message. | Strengthening Ontario’s Skilled Trades Pipeline | We urged the government to address the HVACR skilled worker shortage by expanding apprenticeship funding, incentivizing mentorship, and supporting instructor recruitment and retention. | Engaging HVACR Professionals in Net-Zero Planning | As Ontario shifts to a low-carbon economy, we advocated for HVACR contractors to be strategic partners in retrofit planning through formal working groups and annual industry-government roundtables. | | Strengthening Domestic HVACR Manufacturing | Amid ongoing global supply chain pressures, we called for targeted incentives and infrastructure investments to grow Ontario’s HVACR manufacturing and align it with clean-tech strategies. | Advancing Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) | The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for healthy indoor environments, prompting our call for public awareness campaigns and enforceable IEQ standards to improve air quality across homes, schools, and workplaces. | The 2025 Ontario Budget’s $10.9 billion commitment to energy efficiency and home renovations underscores support for technologies like heat pumps, but ORAC and HRAI warn that success depends on developing the skilled workforce and supply chain. | This year’s Lobby Day showcased the power of a united HVACR voice, as ORAC members engaged provincial leaders on the industry’s role in economic recovery, climate action, and public health—strengthening relationships and reinforcing our leadership in Ontario’s transformation. | | “Advocacy days like this one are critical,” said Rahim Shamji, Director at Right Time Group of Companies. “They give business leaders a seat at the table to help shape the policies that affect our workforces, customers, and communities. We were proud to stand with ORAC and HRAI to represent the future of our industry.” | |
GAS TECHNICIAN 1 (G1)
WEEKENDS or MODIFIED
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MODIFIED (2 sessions p/ course)
2025
Session 1: September 6 - September 14
Session 2: September 27- October 5
Session 1: October 18 - October 26
Session 2: November 8 - November 16
2026
Session 1: January 17 - January 25
Session 2: February 21 - March 1
Session 1: March 21 - March 29
Session 2: April 18 - April 26
WEEKENDS
Dates: January 10, 2026 - May 24, 2026
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GAS TECHNICIAN 2 (G2)
EVENINGS or MODIFIED
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EVENINGS
Dates: September 2, 2025 - April 26, 2026
MODIFIED (4 sessions)
Session 1: December 6 - December 14, 2025
Session 2: January 3 - January 11, 2026
Session 3: January 31 - February 8, 2026
Session 4: March 7 - March 15, 2026
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GAS TECHNICIAN 3 (G3)
WEEKENDS
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Date: September 6, 2025 - February 1, 2026
Date: January 10, 2026 - May 24, 2026
| | Click Here for more Information | | The following Boiler and Pressure Vessel (BPV) Piping Data Reports have been updated:
Click the links below to download the updated data forms. | | The Construction Education Council presents an exclusive 2-Day Dispatcher Training Program—designed to sharpen communication, customer service, and coordination skills. Featuring hands-on exercises, self-assessments, and dynamic discussions, this U.S.-developed and Canadian-tailored course by expert Richard Worr will help your dispatchers become key drivers of business success. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your team! | | |
Module 1: The Dispatcher and the Service Organization
Module 2: Communication Skills for the Dispatcher
Module 3: Partnering with the Service Technician
Module 4: Servicing the Customer
Module 5: Managing the Service Manager
Module 6: Working with the Rest of the Team
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$550 per person
Includes:
• 2-Day Dispatcher Training
• Course Booklet
• Certificate of Completion
• Lunch each day
• Special Note: For those with allergies & dietary restrictions – we will notify the caterer, but we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate all request
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October 7th 2025 | October 8th 2025
8:30 am to 4:00 pm | 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
| Location: MCA Toronto Office in Vaughan, Ontario | Special Note: Attendees must attend both days in order to receive the gold seal certificate | | Building a Safety Culture with Small Teams w/ Dante Mancuso and Wayne Cerven (THSC) | |
In a small HVAC business, safety isn't just about avoiding fines; it's about keeping your team efficient, your projects on track, and your reputation strong. Join HRAI and the Ontario Refrigeration Association of Canada (ORAC) on June 25 for a webinar exploring how building a true safety culture starts with making safety practical. We'll explore how simplifying forms, inspections, and safety talks leads to better follow-through from your crew and how safety – when built into your operations – actually boosts productivity, not just compliance.
You’ll walk away with real-world strategies for creating systems your team wants to use, plus tips on how to lead safety conversations that actually land. Because, in the end, when safety is easy to understand and easy to do, it gets done … and that’s when your business wins.
| | R32 Fact or Fiction w/ Benjamin Middleton
(Daikin Comfort Technologies) | |
HRAI and ORAC present a session exploring why R-32 is the globally preferred refrigerant to replace R-410A and what that means for contractors and distributors across Canada. With over 230 million systems installed in more than 130 countries, R-32 offers a proven solution that's efficient, easy to handle, and readily available. In this free and interactive webinar, host Benjamin Middleton with Daikin Comfort Technologies will clarify regulatory developments in the U.S. and Canada, explain how the Kigali Amendment and AIM Act are shaping the transition, and compare R-32 with other options like R-454B.
Canadian HVAC pros will gain clear insight into upcoming changes and why R-32 offers lasting value for customers and the environment. This fact-based session empowers sales, service, and strategy teams to lead with confidence into 2025 and beyond.
| | | | ORAC has been supporting HVAC/R contractors in Ontario for 58 years? | |
Ontario Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association was founded in 1967 and since has grown to be the most recognized association for signatory HVAC/R contractors.
ORAC represents 157 signatory Commercial and Residential Contractors and 26 Associate Companies across the province.
| | | 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
| | Know someone who'd like to receive this newsletter? Send an email to contact@orac.ca to get added on the distribution list | | |
ORAC Association - Air Waves
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