CMPX 2026: The Future of High-Performance Buildings Takes the Spotlight
March 12, 2026
Canada’s largest HVACR, plumbing and water treatment event, CMPX, showcases breakthrough technologies driving the country’s building energy transition
As Canada moves towards its net-zero climate targets, one of the most critical climate opportunities is hidden in plain sight: the systems that power our buildings.
From heating and cooling to ventilation and refrigeration infrastructure, buildings account for a significant share of urban greenhouse-gas emissions. The technologies transforming how buildings operate, and the skilled trades installing them, will be front and centre at the 2026 Canadian Mechanical & Plumbing Exposition (CMPX), Canada’s largest trade show and conference for HVACR, plumbing and water treatment professionals.
Taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre – South Building, from March 25 – 27, 2026, CMPX 2026 will bring together contractors, engineers, manufacturers, policy leaders, and building developers to explore the next generation of energy-efficient mechanical systems, including commercial and residential heat pumps, geoexchange systems, district energy infrastructure, advanced building controls, and high-efficiency ventilation technologies.
Among the more than 500 exhibiting brands and innovations on display are new heat pump systems such as the Airest Heat Pump from Sharp Corporation (Booth 1257). The system features a built-in MERV-14 certified filter and uses the lower-impact refrigerant R-32, which has a lower global-warming potential than older refrigerants commonly used in HVAC systems.
At the refrigeration level, manufacturers such as Copeland (Booth 1503) will showcase emerging solutions like their Transcritical CO₂ Scroll Compressor that uses a natural refrigerant with dramatically lower global-warming potential, helping reduce emissions in applications such as supermarkets and food storage.
Digital technologies will also play a growing role in the transition. Platforms such as Honeywell Connected Solutions (Booth 729) allow building operators to monitor energy and carbon performance, optimize system efficiency, and extend equipment life through predictive maintenance.
Ventilation innovation will be another focus area, with systems such as the Lossnay Residential Energy Recovery Ventilator from Mitsubishi Electric (Booth 1303), which is a highly efficient ventilation solution for improving IAQ for homes, while helping reduce heating and cooling demand.
“The built environment will play an important role in Canada’s climate goals,” said Sandy MacLeod, President & CEO of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI). “CMPX brings together policy and practical solutions, where systems designed to reduce emissions are not only discussed, but also demonstrated and applied in projects across Canada. These are just a few of the many sustainable building innovations showcased at this year’s event.”
From Policy to Practice
New for 2026, CMPX will introduce a Mechanical Systems Showcase, offering guided technical tours of landmark low-carbon projects across Toronto.
These tours will take participants behind the scenes of major infrastructure including the deep lake water cooling system at Simcoe Street Cooling Plant, large-scale commercial building retrofits at the Fairmont Royal York, and one of Canada’s largest urban geoexchange installations at the University of Toronto.
The tours provide a rare look at how decarbonization strategies are being implemented in complex, real-world environments, from heritage buildings to dense urban campuses.
The Workforce Powering the Transition
Beyond technology, CMPX 2026 highlights the skilled trades workforce essential to delivering building decarbonization at scale.
As electrification and high-efficiency mechanical systems become more widespread, demand for trained professionals capable of designing, installing, and maintaining these systems continues to grow. Industry leaders say achieving Canada’s climate goals will require not only innovation, but significant investment in workforce development and trades training.
CMPX 2026 is expected to welcome thousands of HVACR and plumbing students and apprentices, providing hands-on exposure to emerging technologies and opportunities to connect directly with employers across the industry. As Canada advances toward high-performance buildings, developing the next generation of skilled trades professionals will be essential to achieving meaningful real-world impact on energy efficiency and emissions reduction.
A Critical Moment for Canada’s Building Sector
With municipalities adopting stricter building performance standards and building owners facing rising energy costs, the transformation of building systems is no longer theoretical, it is already underway.
CMPX 2026 provides a platform for industry collaboration, education, and innovation at a pivotal moment when reducing emissions from buildings is both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity.
More Information
For more information, visit www.cmpxshow.com.
