2025 Contractor Forum
This year's Contractor Forum took place on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo, BC.
This page contains information related to the event such as presentation slides, speaker bios, contact information for panel members and presenters, and poll results. Scroll down to view the information.
HPSC Contact Information
| General inquires |
Website: homeperformance.ca
 Email: info@homeperformance.ca Phone: 604-755-3469 |
| Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) inquires |
Website:homeperformance.ca/HPCN
 Email: hpcn@homeperformance.ca Phone: 604-755-3469 ext 0 |
Rebate Program and Regulatory Updates
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Speaker |
Bio |
Presentation Slides and Contact Info |
Grant Moonie Senior Energy Efficiency Coordinator - Residential, BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation |
Grant is a Senior Energy Efficiency Coordinator - Residential at the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation which manages the CleanBC Better Homes and Energy Savings Rebate programs. Grant provides strategic oversight for these rebate programs and manages quality assurance for the Energy Savings Rebate program. |
Download presentation slides. Better Homes Program: Energy Savings Program: |
Betsy Agar Director of Buildings Policy, Efficiency Canada |
Betsy holds a Masters in Engineering and was licensed in Ontario as a building science engineer before building science was cool. Betsy has drawn on her technical background advocating for building decarbonization and adaptation over the last 10+ years as a founding member of Renewable Cities out of SFU Centre for Dialogue and the Pembina Institute's Reframed Initiative. Born and raised in Ontario, she moved her family to North Vancouver nearly 15 years ago and now calls both provinces home. Betsy is grateful for the privilege of living, working and playing on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. |
Download presentation slides. |
Concierge Program Panel
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Speaker |
Bio |
Presentation Slides and Contact Info |
 Roberto Pecora, P.Eng., CEM, LEED AP, SMT (facilitator) Director of Building Decarbonization, Zero Emissions Innovation Centre |
Roberto's journey through the building industry extends back over two decades and includes stops in Ottawa and Montreal before settling in Vancouver. In addition to his mechanical engineering degree, he has extensive experience in both new developments and renovations of existing buildings. Roberto has successfully taken on project management roles for subcontractors, a general contractor and a national property management firm. In the eight years before joining ZEBx, he worked in the building science group of a national consulting engineering firm, specializing in building assessments, capital planning, asset management, energy studies and building performance analysis. |
No slides presented. |
 Mariah Byers Program Manager of Retrofit Assist, Community Energy Association |
Mariah Byers is the Program Manager for Retrofit Assist at the Community Energy Association. With a background in solar, she brings a unique perspective to renewable energy and retrofit solutions. Her expertise includes program development and stakeholder engagement, focused on sustainable community development. Mariah is dedicated to empowering communities to achieve their climate action goals through practical energy strategies. |
No slides presented. Retrofit Assist website: retrofitassist.ca |
 Community Energy Specialist, Capital Regional District |
Matt Greeno has worked extensively on program development and implementation to support building retrofits, energy efficiency, and new building policy over the past 16 years. He's worked on a variety of recent initiatives including the adoption of the Zero Carbon Step Code in the capital region, regional Energy and Carbon Emissions reporting, and he manages the Home Energy Navigator program. Matt is a collaborator and facilitator, and he will probably try to rope you into something he is working on. |
No slides presented. Home Energy Navigator website: homeenergynav.ca |
 Theo Harvey Energy Programs Lead, City of Nelson |
Theo Harvey is the Energy Programs Lead at the City of Nelson. Theo manages the Regional Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) which is a retrofit concierge service with financing products for residents of the Regional District of Central Kootenay. The REEP helps residents understand their home energy usage, navigate the home energy retrofit journey, and maximize their opportunities for rebates and other financial incentives. Theo is based in Nelson, BC and the REEP represents the entire RDCK. |
No slides presented. Regional Energy Efficiency Program website: rdck.ca/REEP |
Ecotrust Retrofit Contractor Survey Results
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Speaker |
Bio |
Presentation Slides and Contact Info |
 Michael-Anthony Lutfy (he/him) Regional Program Manager, Ecotrust Canada |
Michael-Anthony joined Ecotrust Canada's Community Energy team to pursue energy and housing justice in rural communities. By educating households and helping them navigate energy efficiency grants, he ensures rebates go where they will have the greatest impact, both for the people receiving the benefits and comfort of energy-saving upgrades as well as removing polluting energy sources from their communities. He's privileged to travel to many rural communities across Vancouver Island and Coast BC to work directly with community partners, households, and contractors. |
No presentation slides available. |
Breakout Session (HVAC & Energy Advisors): F280 and A2L Refrigerant Changes + Supply Chain and Consumer Protection Update
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Speaker |
Bio |
Presentation Slides and Contact Info |
 Vice President of Government and Stakeholder Relations, HRAI |
Martin is responsible for the government relations and industry advocacy work of HRAI. Prior to HRAI, Martin was Director for the Social Investment Organisation (SIO), Research Director for the Independent Power Producers Society of Ontario (IPPSO) and a Research Associate and Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto. Martin holds a Masters degree in Urban Geography and Planning from the University of Toronto and a Bachelors degree from Queen's University in Kingston. |
No slides presented. mluymes@hrai.ca |
 Todd Backus Chief Operating Officer, TECA |
Todd Backus has worked in the HVAC industry since 2003. He completed his red-seal ticket as a sheet metal worker in 2009. As the owner/operator of Backus Mechanical, he specialized in forced air system installation and design for custom homes. In 2019, Todd graduated from BCIT with a degree in mechanical engineering. Afterwards, he worked as a mechanical consultant for Rocky Point Engineering designing HVAC, plumbing, and fire suppression systems. In 2023, Todd completed his Professional Engineering certification and joined TECA, he is currently working as their Chief Operating Officer. |
Breakout Session (Insulation & Windows and Doors): Best Practices for Working with Asbestos + Industry Microcredentials
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Speaker |
Bio |
Presentation Slides and Contact Info |
 Andy Cockburn (facilitator) Senior Director - Education and Impact, NAIMA Canada |
Andy Cockburn is a Red Seal Carpenter and Certified Passive House Consultant with experience in custom home building, panelized construction, timber framing, stair construction, architectural drafting, 3D modelling and historic restoration. Andy is a seasoned teacher of trades and building science, teaching over 16 years in the Construction Carpentry Advanced Housing program at Algonquin College. Andy creates learning content for contractors and renovators and serves on program advisories at educational and industry organizations across Canada. He is a Board member of the Home Performance Stakeholder Council in British Columbia and a member of their Insulation Sector Council. |
No slides presented. |
 Glenn Russell Industry and Program Specialist, WorkSafeBC |
Glenn started work with WorkSafeBC as an Occupational Safety Officer and worked in this capacity for about 10 years. He is currently working as an Industry and Program Specialist for about 3 years. Glenn worked previously with YVR as a Health and Safety Advisor. He also worked at the Winter Olympic Expansion for 3 years. He also worked in Nassau, Bahamas at their International and Domestic Terminal which underwent Demolish and Rebuild for 3 years. On the education front, Glenn obtained the 2-year Diploma Occupational Health and Safety Course from BCIT. |
Slides coming soon. |
 Tanya Tarlit Program Administrator, Okanagan College |
Tanya Tarlit has been a dedicated member of Okanagan College since 2005, serving in a variety of roles including Educational Advisor, Vocational Instructor, and her current position as Trades Program Administrator. Her diverse experience across departments provides her with a well-rounded understanding of student needs and institutional operations. Tanya is passionate about student success and is especially committed to supporting trades students, women in trades, and students with looking to transition careers. With expertise in programming, curriculum development, recruitment, and advising, she brings a valuable perspective to Enrolment Management and Programming. Tanya holds a Master's in Community Development and multiple related credentials. | Download presentation slides. TTarlit@okanagan.bc.ca |
Home Energy Labelling Update
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Speaker |
Bio |
Presentation Slides and Contact Info |
 Brett Auger Senior Home Energy Rating System Lead, BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation |
Brett Auger is the Province's Senior Home Energy Rating System Lead. He is responsible for the development and implementation of the BC Home Energy Planner which is set to begin piloting in April 2024. His experience creating solutions for government and industry over the last 10 years has given him the skills and confidence to ensure the BC Home Energy Planner will be a success. Brett is also a volunteer firefighter in Telkwa BC, where he lives with his girlfriend and small husky. |
No presentation slides available. |
Polls
Throughout the event, the HPSC asked audience members to participate in poll questions. The results are captured below.
