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Celebrating World Plumbing Day and International Women’s Day in March

Some time ago, I wrote a column that highlighted my childhood experience of helping my father hold the flashlight while he was pulling wire, working on one of our motorcycles, or building a project my mother had tasked him with. To this day, that was my favourite column I have written, as so many readers chose to write and share their similar fond memories. This column has been on my mind, as of late, since I was once again tasked with helping my father on one of his latest projects by holding up the flashlight when I was up for a visit. I highly suspect this will be something I will do to help my father for decades to come.

This passing off of skills (proper flashlight holding is an art) from parent-to-child or journeyperson-to-apprentice has always been a strength for the skilled trades. There ends up being an almost childhood nostalgia to the work performed. However, this also might be a reason why this industry tends to be on the slow end for the adoption of innovation and new technology. I can see the industry maneuvering its way through its growing pains.

As frustrating and terrible as this pandemic has been on Canada and the rest of the world, it has advanced the global mindset surrounding the skilled trades. People have started to realize the important work this industry does for the community. This is best evident in the amount of ventilation upgrades made to our institutions.

Those that know me, oftentimes refer to me as a "humble bragger," which of course I always respond with “I am the Queen of the Humble Brag.” Celebrating these accomplishments is important.

This is also why March is one of my favourite months of the year since two special celebrations happen to fall in it: World Plumbing Day (WPD) and International Women ’ s Day (IWD). Celebrated on March 11 (WPD) and March 8 (IWD), these two days allow for people to stop and think about the dedicated demographics that they highlight. Let us know how you chose to celebrate each of these special occasions by emailing, leah@plumbingandhvac.ca.

You could even nominate a plumber or woman to be highlighted as part of our "Industry Champions" profile series.

March 2022 Volume 32, Number 2 ISSN 1919-0395

Publisher Mark Vreugdenhil (289) 638-2133 ext.1 Cell: (416) 996-1031 mark@plumbingandhvac.ca

Editor Leah Den Hartogh (289) 638-2133 ext. 2 Cell: (289) 830-1217 leah@plumbingandhvac.ca

Assistant Editor Francesco Lo Presti (289) 638-2133 ext. 3 francesco@plumbingandhvac.ca

Contributing Writers Roy Collver, Ron Coleman, Mark P. Evans, Bill Hooper, Michael McCartney, Glenn Mellors Bruce Nagy, Greg Scrivener

Design and Production Tim Norton/Janet Popadiuk production@plumbingandhvac.ca

All articles and photos by Plumbing & HVAC staff unless noted.

PLUMBING & HVAC Magazine is published eight times annually by Marked Business Media Inc. and is written for individuals who purchase/ specify/approve the selection of plumbing, piping, hot water heating, fire protection, warm air heating, air conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration, controls and related systems and products throughout Canada.

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