January 23, 2012

Plans in the pipe for World Plumbing Day March 11

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

Plumbing organizations across Canada are teaming up with the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) to celebrate World Plumbing Day.

Established in 2010 under the auspices of the World Plumbing Council, the March 11 event is dedicated to helping the general public better understand the vital role the plumbing industry plays in protecting public health and safety.

“Every single person on this planet is affected by the availability of clean drinking water and basic sanitation,” the MCAC, CIPH and the plumbing council said in a joint release.

As part of the initiative, the organizations will be engaging in promotional efforts on a national, provincial and regional level. They also will provide powerpoint presentations for elementary school visits.

As well, industry representatives will be approaching the federal, provincial and municipal governments for their support and assistance in promoting and officially proclaiming March 11 as World Plumbing Day.

Overtures have already been made to federal Environment Minister Peter Kent to have the day recognized in the House of Commons.

“On a national level, we would be thrilled and honoured if you were to recognize World Plumbing Day,” CIPH president Ralph Suppa and MCAC president Richard McKeagan said in a letter to Kent.

A copy was sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper as well as several cabinet ministers.

Last year Senator Don Plett, a former mechanical contractor, delivered a statement to his peers recognizing World Plumbing Day.

Both MCAC and the CIPH expect to ramp up activities in 2012.

“We are going to build on what we did last year,” said Suppa, whose organization represents more than 250 companies that manufacture and distribute plumbing and related products.

Plans include production of a video, promoting World Plumbing Day, featuring the current MCAC and CIPH chairs. The video will be posted on YouTube.

Other Canadian organizations that are involved in World Plumbing Day include the Mechanical Contractors Association of Alberta, plumbing inspectors’ associations in Ontario and British Columbia and some plumbers’ union locals.

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