HVACR systems are one of the materials affected by the U.S.-imposed tariffs.
The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) recently shared that almost 70 per cent of its members, which include manufacturers, distributors, and contractors, expressed serious concern over the situation. The majority of members also conveyed that the impact on their businesses would be “significant,” while 18 per cent predicted devastation.
HRAI is suggesting that Canada negotiate vigorously and creatively to avert tariffs. “Like many other sectors, our industry has pushed for years to maintain healthy cross-border trade with minimal restrictions and well-aligned regulatory regimes,” the association stated. “Our industry believes this approach should be maintained to ensure the continued mutual benefits that flow from this historic relationship.”
Martin Luymes, vice-president of government and stakeholder relations at the HRAI, recently appeared on Parliament Hill to speak about the tariffs on January 31. Since then, Canada’s retaliatory measures haven’t included HVACR systems, which would have further devastated the industry.
He said more than half of members have anticipated a need to take drastic measures, including production slowdowns, canceled capital investments, and hiring freezes or staff lay-offs.
“When Canadian and American HVACR companies work together we create efficiencies that keep costs down for consumers on both sides of the border,” he said. “We develop shared standards, coordinated training programs and aligned certification processes. This integration hasn’t happened by accident, it’s the result of years of careful collaboration that has served both countries exceptionally well.”
He added most of the manufacturing in Canada involves assembling components from other parts of the world, including the U.S. “In some cases, there are companies who produce components here in Canada that are then shipped to the United States and assembled into larger components and then shipped back to Canada for final production into the finished good.” he noted.