VRCA is launching a new, regular feature titled Evolving Education that is designed to keep members informed about new training and course offerings. In its first Evolving Education story, VRCA is pleased to announce four new courses. Up first is a new course titled Effective Planning for Foremen. This course focuses on providing a [...]
Dear member, Please join us for an important members-only town hall meeting to discuss industry’s response to the new Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) that: forces construction workers to join and pay dues to the Building Trades Unions as a condition of working on certain public construction projects where the CBA will be used, which [...]
There are some exciting changes happening in the VRCA’s education department. As you may be aware, VRCA received a generous grant from the Real Estate Foundation of BC to perform an industry-wide study on current and future trends in construction education. RDH Building Science was contracted to perform this study, and the results will [...]
Concrete locking blocks pose a safety hazard when they are moved around worksites or stacked on top of other blocks. WorkSafeBC’s new safety bulletin, Lifting concrete locking blocks safely, explains the hazard and how to reduce the risks.
On September 19, ZEBx, in partnership with Passive House Canada and the City of Vancouver, will host the High Density Passive House Seminar to explore the successes, barriers and solutions of building Vancouver's first two multi-unit residential Passive House buildings - The Brixton Flats and The Heights. Conceptualized by different designers, these buildings boast [...]
On Site with Olivia had the unique chance, through long-time member Bird Construction, to take a look at behind the scenes of one of Surrey’s growing areas, Surrey’s City Centre. Things have been moving quickly with Bird Constructions’ staff at the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering Program (SE3P) building at [...]
The rain held off for most of the day at the annual U40 Golf Tournament held at Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club in Richmond on Friday, September 7, 2018. This popular event sold out in under an hour and we raised a total of $1182 for KidStart BC. Check out more photos [...]
On July 1, the Government of Canada imposed a 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent tariff on aluminum imported from the United States. The tariffs are in response to similar tariffs imposed on Canadian steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. At July’s Division Meeting, members asked for clarification on [...]
In response to concerns from Canadian steel manufacturers that the Canadian steel market will be flooded with cheap steel from countries other than the U.S. as a result of the tariffs, the Canadian government is considering using quotas and tariffs to protect the Canadian steel market. Facing ‘unprecedented threat’, steelmakers are pushing Ottawa for [...]
The BC Lions is hosting its second annual “Salute the Trades” game night on Friday, Sept. 7, when the Lions take on the Ottawa Red Blacks. The first BC Lions “Salute the Trades” game night was held last September, inviting BC’s registered apprentices to purchase generously discounted tickets. The Lions also extended a similar [...]
Back in July, VRCA President Fiona Fiona emailed our members asking help in identifying education priorities. Thanks to you, more than 150 replies were received in the needs assessment survey! Everyone who completed the survey had an opportunity to enter a draw for a ticket to the 2019 Construction Leadership Forum at the Fairmont [...]
The Province of British Columbia has adopted the 2018 edition of the British Columbia Building Code, including Book II Plumbing Services (BC Building and Plumbing Code). The new BC Building and Plumbing Code will be effective December 10, 2018 and will apply to building permits applied for on or after that date. The BC [...]
The B.C. government has called a province-wide state of emergency in response to the hundreds of fires currently burning around the province. Evacuation orders have been issued, leaving many people in need of urgent assistance. The Vancouver Regional Construction Association and BC Construction Association are coming together in support of the communities being ravaged by [...]
The VRCA School Outreach Program has been presenting to schools in the Lower Mainland since 2016. The program is staffed by volunteers who visit local (mostly) high schools to share information about careers in the trades. We are holding a contest to give this program a catchy new name! The VRCA Education Committee members [...]
The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) is working with industry stakeholders, including VRCA, to get a legislative solution addressing the need for prompt payment in B.C. on the table for the Spring 2019 legislative session. Lack of prompt payment is one of the most significant issues in the construction sector. When contractors don’t get [...]
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) and the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) are reviewing its standard documents to see if current CCDC language will provide relief to construction companies that have seen costs rise as a result of tariffs on goods imported from the United States. On July 1, Canada imposed tariffs on a [...]
The BC Construction Association (BCCA), on behalf of the four regional construction associations, has launched a letter-writing campaign against the Community Benefits Agreement for key infrastructure projects in B.C. Trades people and owners of construction companies are encouraged to sign a pre-drafted letter that will be sent to B.C. Premier John Horgan explaining why [...]
Every once in a while, a project comes up that is a little outside the normal grid. Hudson Plating & Coating’s Delta facility is such a project within the construction industry. In a time where steel is becoming a hot commodity, Hudson Plating & Coating, which has been around since 1948, is making a [...]
With the nomination deadline for the 2018 VRCA Awards of Excellence – Outstanding Achievement categories just days away, we’re taking a last look back at the winners from 2017 to help inspire nominations for the award’s 30th anniversary. Nominations are due August 10. Construction Workplace Health and Safety Innovation - Graham Infrastructure LP In 2015, [...]
With the August 10 nomination deadline for the 2018 VRCA Awards of Excellence – Outstanding Achievement categories fast approaching, we’re taking a look back at the winners from 2017 to help inspire nominations for the award’s 30th anniversary. 2017 U40 Excellence in Construction Award Recipient - William Donnellan William Donnellan is an accomplished business [...]
