The aisles were packed for the 2011 edition of MCEE, eastern Canada’s largest plumbing, HVACR, hydronic, electrical, and lighting expo. The sold-out exhibit hall (which was expanded twice to meet the demand from new exhibitors) featured a variety of products and exhibitors from all sectors.

Two Canadian provinces have launched incentive programs. A new two-year, $42 million LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program has been enacted, and the government of Saskatchewan has renewed the Saskatchewan EnerGuide for Houses program.

The Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) announced the most recent recipient of HRAI’s Orvil L. Davie Memorial Fund bursary. HRAI Chair Rusty Jennings named David Buckle of Algonquin College in Ottawa as the recipient of the $1,000 award.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) will hold its 2011 ASHRAE Annual Conference in Montreal, June 25-29. The theme of the conference, “Sustainability Knows No Borders,” serves as a reminder of ASHRAE’s international reach.

The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) announced it will sponsor a week in September to support Habitat for Humanity Canada (HFHC). CIPH HFH Week will be held Sept. 18-24, 2011.

The Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) announced that its efforts, combined with those of other related associations, appear to have influenced a Canadian federal government decision to reinstate the ecoENERGY for Homes retrofit program

An extensive line-up of seminars covering the gamut of the mechanical and electrical industries, plus a record-breaking number of exhibitors will make the MCEE trade show and conference a not-to-be-missed event this spring, according to the show’s organizers.

Deschênes Group Inc., a Canadian-owned wholesale distributor of plumbing, HVACR, PVF (pipe, valves and fittings), waterworks, electrical, and fire protection products, was honored for a second year to be a recipient of the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada award.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, ductless splits systems shipments showed the highest product sector gain, increasing by 94 percent. Other sectors showing increases included chiller bookings by 48 percent and commercial air conditioning shipments by 17 percent.

In mid-February, 170 exposition industry professionals gathered at the Holiday Inn Toronto International Airport Hotel for Canadian Association of Exposition Management’s (CAEM’s) Annual Awards Gala “Celebrating the Stars of the Show.”