B.C.-based Strategic Natural Resource Consultants is a majority Indigenous-owned company and employee-owned company.
Ehattesaht Chinehkint Nation has been a long-term client of the firm.
Strategic officials say the move will greatly help the firm’s ability to navigate relations with Indigenous communities.
The Whole Story:
The Ehattesaht Chinehkint Nation has purchased a majority interest in Strategic Natural Resource Consultants.
The Ehattesaht Chinehkint Nation is a northern Nuu-chah-nulth Tribe whose traditional territory covers 750 square kilometres in Esperanza Inlet between Nootka Island and Kyuquot Channel in B.C. The main community, Ehatis in Zeballos where they have owned and operated forest licenses since the 1970s, has equity investments in hydro power production, fisheries, aquaculture and tourism.
Strategic is one of the largest resource management consulting firms in B.C. with 190 employees in offices in Fort St. John, Prince George, Port McNeill, Nanaimo, and Campbell River.
“Our staff here at Strategic are pleased that our long-term client has become a partner in our business,” said the company in its announcement. “We know our new partners will bring a lot of new energy to the firm that will help us strengthen how we do business and our relationship with our clients.”
The firm explained that they are now uniquely structured as a majority Indigenous-owned and employee-owned natural resource service provider.
“Our relationship with the Ehattesaht Chinehkint Nation has grown over the years and when they approached us, we were both honoured and excited,” said Niels Jorgensen, founder and managing partner at Strategic. “With one of the partners wanting to move on, the timing worked out well and our staff across B.C. are excited. I think everyone is viewing the Nation’s move as a validation of how our company has operated over the years. Having new directors will let us navigate the changing landscape of relations with BC’s Indigenous communities.”
Chief Simon John of the Ehattesaht Chinehkint Nation stated that he believes the partnership will help both parties.
“Our membership has asked us to find investments and opportunities that will help our Nation grow and we saw a perfect fit,” said John. “We think the strengths they have as a company are really aligned with what we need as a Nation, but we are more excited about having a company that is successful across the province, works for a lot of industries and has great leadership and a team who want to embrace new technologies.”
Earlier this year, the BCCR announced the formation of the Emerging Leaders Group (ELG). The ELG is intended to serve those at the intermediate stage in their careers.
“The BC Construction Roundtable recently launched their Emerging Leaders Group, supporting members with ~8 to 20 years of experience in the construction industry,” said Jeannine Martin, BCCR president. “The importance of succession within industry, and BCCR itself, highlighted the need to create opportunities for emerging leaders in the construction industry to undertake professional development, be mentored and enlarge their networks.”
Martin added that the ELG Committee is planning events for the coming year, starting with their Kick Off Event on Nov. 17, where they will be asking emerging leaders how the group can best serve industry.
The main objectives of the ELG are to:
Create opportunities for emerging leaders to undertake professional development, create mentoring opportunities, and establish personal connections with other emerging leaders.
Promote and provide opportunities for succession planning both within the BCCR and industry.
Understand, promote, and grow the relationships between all sectors of emerging leaders in the BC construction industry.
The ELG will be supported by a new BCCR committee.
Key Takeaways:
Many workers are dealing with mental health challenges, personally or related to a loved one.
This can be particularly challenging in a remote camp environment.
The program aims to get people help and keep them in the workforce by training employers, owners and co-workers to provide support.
The BTA will use a $650,000 grant from Alberta Health to create the Building Resiliency program which will promote and raise awareness about the importance of mental health, wellness, resiliency and recovery.
Ian Robb, chairman of the board for the BTA, explained that workers in Alberta – especially those doing remote work in camps – face many pressures and are often kicked aside if they reach out for help.
“You got a guy or a gal that’s thousands of kilometres away from home, their family, their friends and they are in a camp in Northern Canada,” said Robb. “They are working and then staying in a little room, worried about their family and friends. They may not be having an issue. It might be their kid or spouse having an issue. It makes them crazy and takes their eye off the game.”
He added that if they come out and say they have a problem it is often frowned upon and they are told to “suck it up” or “tough it out.”
“They should be ready to deal with this person. Instead, everybody hides it until they break,” he said.
The Building Resiliency initiative will promote and raise awareness about the importance of mental health, wellness, resiliency, and recovery-informed workplaces for its membership through customized learning modules.
The BTA aims to work with owners and contractors to establish a peer support program to champion recovery and resiliency. Participants will receive training and certification on mental health, wellness, and recovery coaching for identified peer supports on major worksites. The program will also provide specialized training to contractors and owners on recovery-informed workplaces.
The initiative includes an anonymous, self-guided and interactive digital service called Breaking Free, to reduce drug and alcohol use, reduce substance dependence and improve mental health, quality of life and social functioning. The digital services are also available for members reaching out for assistance for the first time.
“It’s an all encompassing new way of doing business,” said Robb. “They know there is a job for them to go back to, the company knows when they are coming back and how to handle it. The win there is the worker keeps their dignity and livelihood, the contractor keeps their contract with the owner and the owners get some real productive folks that just need a hand so they aren’t constantly in that retraining and searching-for-labour hamster wheel we are all going through.”
Robb noted that hundreds and hundreds of people in the oil sands and remote site world are site banned because of mental health issues.
“They are working somewhere else and hiding it and the same owners are coming to us asking why we can’t supply people,” he said.
November will be spent training for owners and sites. Next the group will focus on peer support training. They then plan to launch the Breaking Free app in early 2023. By early march the BTA expects to have recovery coaches trained up.
“You get a healthier workforce that performs better, is more productive and is more respected. The owner makes more money and gets more product to market,” said Robb. “The contractor can get more contracts. Everybody can win here.”
Key Takeaways:
Jason Idler has been promoted to chief operating officer of heavy industrial at PCL.
He is taking over for Roger Keglowitsch, who is retiring after 30 years at the company.
Idler has been working as PCL’s president of U.S. heavy industrial operations.
The Whole Story:
PCL Construction announced that Jason Idler has been promoted to chief operating officer and will lead the organization’s heavy industrial sector as part of the organization’s overall succession planning strategy. Jason succeeds Roger Keglowitsch who is retiring after 30 years with PCL.
“Jason possesses a wealth of knowledge in the Heavy Industrial world,” said Dave Filipchuk, PCL’s president and CEO. “His deep experience and substantial knowledge of our operations across North America will be essential as he works to extend our reputation as industry leaders. We are proud to welcome him to the PCL office of the CEO leadership team.”
Jason brings a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and more than 30 years of experience to his role. He joined PCL in 2008 as vice president of PCL Intracon Power. He was appointed regional vice president in 2013. The next year he joined the board of directors and assumed executive sponsorship for large-scale industrial projects, some of the largest PCL has executed among them.
In 2017, Jason was named executive vice president for Canada and then president of U.S. heavy industrial operations, based in Houston.
Jason is responsible for PCL’s portfolio of work in the oil and gas, power, renewables, chemical and petrochemical markets. He works with a team of regional executives to oversee all aspects of project planning and delivery including oversight of engineering, project controls, quality, procurement, construction execution, risk management, and health, safety, and environment (HSE).
“Jason is deeply involved not just in the work of construction, but also in how PCL partners with clients and stakeholders to build a sustainable energy and resource future,” said the company in a press release. “For him that means attention to people, to community and to PCL’s role in the energy transition. From planning to fabrication to execution and ongoing maintenance, Jason, along with the entire heavy industrial group, promises clients a fully tailorable project solution.”
Key Takeaways:
Mr. Service Ltd., Granby Bobcat Service Ltd. and Hexcel Construction Ltd. all won awards.
This was because of their excellent safety records and efforts to promote safe excavation.
It is the awards’ first time returning since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Whole Story:
FortisBC is honouring the best in the excavation business with its excavation safety awards. This year’s winners – Mr. Service Ltd., Granby Bobcat Service Ltd. and excel Construction Ltd. – received high praise for their exemplary safety records.
Every year, FortisBC crews repair approximately 1,000 third-party damages to natural gas lines. To date in 2022, these damages have cost over two million dollars in repairs, with each incident endangering the public.
FortisBC’s excavation safety awards recognize companies who have assembled stellar safe digging track records over the past year, and have also taken steps to promote safe excavation practices and education.
FortisBC is awarding Mr. Service Ltd., Granby Bobcat Service Ltd. and Hexcel Construction Ltd. with the 2022 Excavation Safety Awards for their safe digging practices over the past year. It is the first time FortisBC’s damage prevention team is bringing back the awards since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These organizations have established themselves as leaders in safe digging and excavation, and are role models for other construction companies,” said Tanya Kowalenko, public safety manager with FortisBC. “I’d like to thank Mr. Service, Granby Bobcat Service and Hexcel Construction for their commitment to digging safely, and encourage everyone hearing of these awards to reflect on what they themselves can do to dig safer.”
ForistBC officials explained that Kamloops-based Mr. Service Ltd., holds a mission to guide their customers through renovations with education, in order to reduce any stress and help them understand the process.
“After damaging a natural gas line once, Mr. Service Ltd. has always reached out to BC 1 Call before doing any digging to gather location information on buried natural gas lines and other utilities,” said FortisBC. “Adhering to the information BC 1 Call provides, Mr. Service has not damaged any natural gas lines ever since.”
Granby Bobcat Service Ltd. is a family owned and operated business serving the Nanaimo, Ladysmith and Chemainus areas. Since 2002, Granby Bobcat Service Ltd. has provided services in excavating, landscaping, hauling and much more. Operating for around 20 years, Granby Bobcat Service has also never damaged a natural gas line.
Hexcel Construction Ltd. was first established in 1985, and is a full service civil construction company specializing in general contracting and construction management. They currently operate in the Lower Mainland, with most of their projects located in Richmond, Delta and Burnaby. ForistBC noted that Hexcel Construction Ltd. is committed to continuously educating and training their employees on safe excavation practices. The organization has often invited FortisBC to educate staff on safe digging practices as part of ongoing training.
“While these awards are for construction companies, we ask all homeowners to dig safely to help avoid the safety hazards and costly repairs associated with damaging buried natural gas lines or other utility lines,” stressed Kowalenko. “Anytime you’re planning to work in your yard—such as building a deck or even just planting a few perennials—you must reach out to BC 1 Call in advance to request the location of underground gas and other utility lines on your property.”
FortisBC’s public safety team presented these awards at the Canadian Common Ground Alliance’s 2022 Damage Prevention Symposium on October 27. For more information on safe digging practices, go here.
Key Takeaways:
Construction recorded its lowest ever level of unemployment this summer.
BuildForce Canada anticipates 113,000 workers will need to be added by 2027.
To address the issue, the CCA has been working on a series of recruitment initiatives and is calling on government to take action.
The Whole Story:
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is sounding the alarm on unprecedented demand for scarce construction labour.
“Canada is facing its most severe labour shortage in over 50 years – nearly 1 million jobs are unfilled,” said Mary Van Buren, CCA president, in a statement to media. “The situation is especially acute for the construction sector – we have over 81,000 openings now. This also means the essential infrastructure projects that 38 million Canadians rely on every day risk being cancelled or delayed.”
The CCA urged everyone in the industry to join its ‘Rebuild Canada’s workforce NOW’ campaign. The campaign will see industry representatives meet with parliamentarians for CCA’s Hill Day on Nov. 15 where they will urge the federal government to:
modernize Canada’s immigration policy and point system to better recognize tradespeople and construction labourers.
work with the provinces to ensure skills matching is properly funded and supported; and
update the Temporary Foreign Worker program to allow seamless access for the construction industry.
The group stated that the demand for labour in non-residential construction is increasing thanks to the post-pandemic boom experienced by the construction industry.
The CCA cited data that shows job vacancies currently sitting at 84,585 while the value of monthly building permits reaching $3.9 billion. That’s a 17 per cent increase over its highest recorded level seen since 2019.
BuildForce Canada forecasts that given the current demand for non-residential construction, the industry will need to add 113,100 workers by 2027. The first 35,500 workers will be needed to meet the rising demand, while the remaining 77,600 are required to make up for the same number of workers set to retire over the same period.
A graph charts construction employment from 2016 to 2022. – Canadian Construction Association
“This may prove difficult in current market conditions,” said the CCA in an announcement, noting that a July report by Statistics Canada the construction industry documented its lowest ever level of unemployment.
“Low levels of unemployment indicate the supply of workers is insufficient to fill current vacancies,” said the association. “Given this trend, the construction industry is already facing the negative impacts of low unemployment, which include greater difficulties in recruitment and retention, lower productivity gains, and rapid wage growth.”
The group added that the construction sector contributes $152 billion, or 7.5 per cent of Canada’s GDP, annually.
“The industry has immense growth potential but is facing fierce competition for talent,” CCA officials said.
CCA has been working on several initiatives to build a pipeline of skilled, unskilled, and professional talent. Our Talent Fits Here initiative is a national public awareness campaign designed to attract workers by positioning construction as a career of choice. The association is also advocating for changes to the Canadian immigration system to facilitate the entry of skilled immigrants interested in working in the construction sector.
“The future of Canada’s economic growth depends on our ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent,” they said.
Ever wonder what engineers, CEOs and tradespeople listen to at work? Now you don’t have to. We reached out to every corner of the sector for this special Spotify playlist. Throw it on at the jobsite, in the office or while you’re on the road.
1. Mary Van Buren, Canadian Construction Association President
Unstoppable – Sia
Great motivator to kick off the day.
– Van Buren
2. Shane McKernan, Director of Construction at Chard Development
Die Hard – Kendrick Lamar
My go-to song to crush work to.
– McKernan
3. Sebastien de Ghellinck, SkillSignal Founder and Owner
Sabotage – Beastie Boys
I’ve been a Beastie Boys fan since I was 14. My absolute favourite is Sabotage. That song is 200 per cent pure energy and fun. It can pick me up in any mood I find myself stranded in and never ever gets old.
– de Ghellinck
4. Rory Kulmala, Vancouver Island Construction Association CEO
Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
Always been one of my favourites! Serenaded my wife with this song some 20+ years ago 😊
– Kulmala
5. Nicholas Tountas – Sheet metal worker at Orzech Heating and Cooling
Take ‘Em Down – Dropkick Murphys
I’m a diehard Dropkick Murphys fan and most of their music is obscure to most people. What the Murphys stand for resonates with me more than any singular song. They’re a very pro-union and pro-worker’s rights band and one song in particular, “Take ‘em Down”, really solidifies their views on the power of organizing and protecting your rights. It’s an older song, but the message is one that never ages.
– Tountas
6. Erik Backstrom – City of Edmonton Senior Planner
Light Up My Room – Barenaked Ladies
A romantically-infused reflection on urban infrastructure that has always resonated with me.
– Backstrom
7. Thomas Bamber – Air + Light Technical Lead for Integral Group
Soul Brother – Dalton
This is just a really great song. That’s all I really have to say. I don’t know who Dalton is. It’s been used in a couple of mixes I found here and there and I Shazam’d it and it’s just the nuts.
– Bamber
8. Michael Scott, Vice President of Impact Recruitment’s Building Division
Jane Says – Jane’s Addiction
Love how such a powerful band and sounds can produce something this chill and melodic but still has deep meaning behind it. Great driving song!
– Scott
9. Russell Hixson, SiteNews Editor
The Less I Know the Better – Tame Impala
This song is such a vibe. It just flows and puts me in a very calm mood. Great to listen to while I’m writing up notes or doing research.
– Hixson
*Editor’s Note – Listen to the whole Spotify playlist here. This is the first part of a three-part series that will highlight different media recommendations by construction leaders. To make sure you don’t miss out, subscribe to our newsletter below.
Key Takeaways:
The $15 million will be spent on 12 new and existing partnerships over the next three years.
The funding comes after a recent report showed a 35 per cent decline in apprenticeship enrolment over the past five years in the province.
The news brings total new funding for apprenticeship education to $30 million over the next three years.
The Whole Story:
Alberta is looking to boost apprenticeship with a series of new training partnerships.
The province will spend $15 million over the next three years to fund 12 new and existing community partnerships.
Officials stated that these partnerships help promote and build awareness for skilled trades professions and expand support for Albertans wanting to register for apprenticeship education programs.
“We are elevating apprenticeship education and making sure Albertans understand the great value in training for a career in the skilled trades. Demetrios Nicolaides, minister of advanced education. “Alberta’s continued economic growth depends on the development of a highly trained workforce to meet increasing labour market demands.”
This grant funding builds on the recently announced $15 million in funding to expand apprenticeship opportunities, bringing the total new funding for apprenticeship education to $30 million over the next three years through the Alberta at Work initiative.
Funding comes from the Alberta at Work initiative introduced in Budget 2022 and provides $5 million a year for the next three years to fund existing and new apprenticeship partnership grants.
Community Partner Grants and funding amounts:
Alberta Ironworkers Apprenticeship and Training Trust Fund (Pre-Apprenticeship Gladiator Program, Recruitment & Marketing Strategy): $488,866
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (Pre-Employment Pipe-Trades Training Program): $1,205,475
Christian Labour Association of Canada (Train to Employment Program): $796,500
Electrical Industry Training Centres of Alberta (Pre-Apprenticeship Candidate Training Program): $626,940
Lethbridge College – Centre for Trades (STEM Program): $1,385,500
Momentum Community Economic Development Society (Women and Self-identified LGBTQ2S+ Participants Program): $727,282
The Educational Partnership Foundation (Trades Careers Program – Indigenous Partnerships): $1,109,700
Women Building Futures (Women and the Emerging Energy Future Program): $840,000
Skills Canada-Alberta (Try-A-Trade Takeout and Skills Exploration Days Programs): $4,302,737
CAREERS: The Next Generation (High School Integration for Work Integrated Learning): $1,260,000
An inquest is being launched to investigate the death of an Ottawa construction worker.
Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, regional supervising coroner for the East Region, Ottawa office, announced an inquest will be conducted for the death of Olivier Bruneau. The 24-year-old died in hospital on March 23, 2016, from injuries sustained while working at a construction site in Ottawa.
Bruneau died after he was hit by a 12-metre-long piece of ice that slid off the wall of the Claridge Icon condominium construction pit.
Officials noted that an inquest into Bruneau’s death is mandatory under the Coroners Act.
The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Bruneau’s death and the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing future deaths from occurring in similar circumstances.
The inquest is expected to last nine days and hear from approximately 16 witnesses.
The inquest will start at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Dr. Geoffrey Bond will be the presiding officer and Jai Dhar will be inquest counsel.
The inquest will be conducted by video conference which the public will be allowed to view.
Alberta construction sector advocates and trade unions will help guide the province’s approach to skills training with positions on a new council.
Premier Jason Kenney announced the Premier’s Council on Skills will have 11 industry stakeholders who will be tasked with helping the province better understand the challenges, opportunities and changing needs of Alberta’s workforce.
Officials explained that the council’s advice will be provided to the premier, through the minister of advanced education, to reinforce post-secondary programming and align Alberta with current and future industry demand.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announces the Premier’s Council on Skills. – Government of Alberta
Officials noted that as a key liaison between industry and government on skills development, the council will provide critical industry input to inform government policies. The new premier’s Council on Skills members include:
Dennis Perrin, Alberta and Prairies director, Christian Labour Association of Canada – council chair
Brent Allison, CEO, Long View Systems
Glenn Feltham, interim city manager, City of Medicine Hat – council vice-chair
Ken Gibson, executive director, Alberta Construction Association
Ron Koslowsky, vice-president, Manitoba division, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
Jason Krips, president and CEO, Alberta Forest Products Association
Gurpreet Lail, president and CEO, Petroleum Services Association of Canada and principal of Lail Consulting
Terry Parker, executive director, Building Trades Alberta
Darren Reeder, president and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Alberta
Tom Snell, president and chair of the board of directors, Columbia College Calgary
“Our government is obsessed with attracting new investment to fuel our economy’s diversification,” said Kenney. “We need skilled workers to fill the high-wage jobs that are being created in record numbers in Alberta. This council will help us to rise to the challenge in developing and retaining these skilled workers.”
Key Takeaways:
Ontario construction workers made up nearly 8 per cent of Ontario’s overdose deaths between 2018 and 2020.
Researchers found that these workers often were young, male and using non-prescription drugs alone.
The report also found that nearly 80 per cent of workers who died had recently had a pain-related injury.
The Whole Story:
Ontario construction workers are being disproportionately impacted by non-prescription drug overdoses, a new report shows.
The report, which was released this summer, found that close to 1 in 13 opioid-related deaths in Ontario between 2018 and 2020 occurred among construction workers, and among construction workers who died over half were employed at time of death.
The research was conducted by experts from the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network (ODPRN) at St. Michael’s Hospital, ICES, the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and Public Health Ontario.
Unregulated drugs
The report shows deaths among construction workers are primarily being driven by the unregulated drug supply rather than pharmaceutical opioids prescribed for pain.
Researchers found that cocaine and alcohol were more commonly involved in opioid toxicity deaths among construction workers when compared to those not working in the construction industry.
“The disproportionate impact of Ontario’s overdose crisis among people working in the construction industry demands further attention,” said Dr. Tara Gomes, lead author of the report and a principal investigator for ODPRN. “Importantly, despite a high prevalence of pain among workers, prescription opioids are not driving the patterns seen in this industry, with most deaths involving a combination of opioids with other drugs and alcohol.”
Gomes suggested that this could reflect a reliance on non-prescription opioids to manage unresolved pain in a sector where workplace culture and lack of job security can lead to under-reporting of injuries and pressure to minimize recovery time.
428 workers lost
Researchers identified people who worked in the construction industry who died of an opioid toxicity in Ontario between July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2020. The researchers defined construction workers as individuals who were employed or previously employed in the construction industry prior to death, as determined by the investigating coroner. This includes work in a trade, equipment operation or general labour.
Over the study’s 30 month span, 428 Ontarians with employment history in the construction industry died of an opioid toxicity, accounting for nearly 8 per cent of opioid toxicity deaths during that time.
An infographic breaks down substance use by construction workers. – Ontario Drug Policy Research Network
In contrast, people working in the construction industry represented only 3.6 per cent of the entire Ontario population and 7.2 per cent of all employed people in Ontario in 2021. Researchers noted that previous reports have shown that one-third of people who died of opioid toxicity and were employed at time of death worked in the construction industry.
Using data from ICES and the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, researchers dug into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and found:
They found that fentanyl and cocaine involvement were significantly higher among those with construction work backgrounds compared to those without. Alcohol also directly contributed to one in five opioid toxicity deaths among construction workers, which was significantly more common compared to those without a history of employment in construction
Using alone
Nearly 80 per cent of opioid toxicity deaths among construction workers occurred in private residences, most often the individual’s home, and rarely at construction sites or hotels used for work purposes.
Among cases where an individual was present to intervene in the overdose, naloxone administration decreased slightly over time among those who died of an opioid toxicity and had worked in the construction industry, suggesting the need for increased accessibility to naloxone in this population, including in people’s homes and not just on work sites.
Only one in six construction workers with an opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis who died of an opioid toxicity had accessed treatment in the month before death, which is lower than what was observed among those with no history in construction.
Breaking down the demographics
The report also describes demographic characteristics of people who worked in the construction industry who died of opioid toxicity:
Nearly 60 per cent of individuals in the construction industry were employed at the time of opioid toxicity death, compared to only 12 per cent of those with no employment history in the construction industry.
Pain was highly prevalent among construction workers who died of opioid toxicity – almost 80 per cent experienced a pain-related condition or injury in the five years prior to opioid toxicity death, which was similar to those with no employment history in construction.
Opioid toxicity deaths were more concentrated among those aged 25 to 44 years, with almost two-thirds of deaths among people who worked in the construction industry falling in this age group.
Over 98 per cent of construction workers who died of an opioid toxicity were male, compared to 72 per cent among those without a history of employment in the construction industry. This is consistent with the sex distribution of the construction industry workforce in Ontario.
The reports authors called for industry-level response in the construction industry that recognizes the stigma around drug use, which may make people less likely to engage in treatment and harm reduction services offered through their employer.
The researchers added that the response should included a plan to naloxone access at home, raised awareness about drug use safety, and low-barrier access to evidence-based treatment. This includes removing the requirement to go to a pharmacy to consume a daily dose methadone or buprenorphine under medical supervision as well as pain management and mental health supports.
“The report shows that young men continue to die from preventable opioid-related deaths. Each death is a person who lost their life,” said Dr. Dirk Huyer, chief coroner for Ontario. “Their families have lost a loved one, their communities have suffered a loss, and coworkers have lost a colleague and friend. Developing policies to address the stigma and provide support and harm reduction services at the workplace will help prevent further opioid-related deaths.”
Key Takeaways:
The B.C. Construction Association received $21 million in federal funding to assist smaller companies.
The funds will support those who employ new workers.
Companies can receive even more funding if new hires are diverse.
The association also plans to begin a major construction recruitment campaign.
The Whole Story:
B.C. contractors just got a major financial incentive to hire new tradespeople.
The BC Construction Association (BCCA) received more than $21 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service to encourage small and medium sized employers in BC’s construction industry to hire and register first-year apprentices.
A B.C. construction company with fewer than 500 employees can receive financial incentives for hiring new employees or registering existing ones as first-year apprentices in 39 Red Seal Trades.
Participating employers will receive $5,000 for hiring or registering any worker. However, an additional $5,000 will be received if the worker self-reports as a woman, new Canadian, LGBTQ+, Indigenous, a person with a disability, or a visible minority.
The BCCA stated that this is intended to encourage and promote diversity in the sector. Employers can receive payments for up to two first-year apprenticeship positions per year during the two years of the drive, for a maximum of $40,000 per employer.
“BC’s construction industry is in a vice grip right now, and it’s tightening,” said Chris Atchison, BCCA president. “Employers are dealing with rising costs, material shortages, increased taxes, mandatory sick pay, labour shortages, and late payments. It can be costly to hire and train new apprentices, and especially in this climate, $40,000 can go a good distance to alleviating some of that cost burden.”
The association explained that participating employers can spend the financial incentives at their discretion. For example: hiring bonuses, gear and work apparel, childcare costs, offsetting business taxes, offsetting costs of mandatory sick leave, training and mentoring, raises for field or office staff, safety equipment, or new technology.
As part of the service to employers, BCCA will provide culture training via its Builders Code program, and mentorship support through its new Building Builders initiative.
According to the data from the association, B.C.’s construction industry is approximately 95 percent male and most employers are small, with 90 percent employing 20 workers or less.
“We need more skilled trades workers in British Columbia, and across Canada,” said Carla Qualtrough, minister of employment. “That’s why we’re working with employers to create tens of thousands of new apprenticeships. It’s why we’re doubling incentives for employers who hire women, persons with disabilities, and other traditionally marginalized groups – to make sure that everyone who wants to pursue a skilled trade, has the chance to.”
In addition to the financial incentives, the BCCA stated it will embark on a major promotional campaign to attract new talent to the industry.
“We know that construction employers are already doing their best to find and hire workers” said Atchison. “So, in addition to the financial incentives, we’re going to mount a compelling acquisition campaign to bring new talent to employers who list their jobs with us. We’ll be working with a digital recruitment agency, as well as a marketing and communications agency. We’re pulling out all the stops.”
Key Takeaways:
Moshe Safdie’s donation to McGill University includes more than 100,000 pieces and his personal residence at the Habitat 67 building in Montreal.
Officials at McGill called it one of the most influential and important architectural archives in the world.
Safdie enrolled in the school’s six-year architectural degree program in 1955.
The Whole Story:
Safdie hopes his residence and archive can remain a resource for his Alma Mater and the public.
“I have always valued the great education I received at McGill that has guided me through my professional life. Moreover, Canada has embraced and supported me, making possible the realization of several seminal projects,” said Safdie. “It is therefore fitting that McGill, Quebec, and Canada will be the home of my life’s work.”
Safdie’s vast archive includes more than 100,000 pieces, including loose sketches, sketchbooks, models, drawings and correspondence related to unbuilt and built projects across the globe.
According to the university, Safdie’s collection represents one of the most extensive and thorough individual collections of architectural documentation in Canada. Included is the original model and master copy of his McGill undergraduate thesis, ‘A Case for City Living’, which inspired his design for the Habitat 67 residence.
84-year-old architect Moshe Safdie hopes his massive archive donation to McGill University can be of use to future generations.
The university stated that the residence was a major exhibition built for Expo 67 in Montreal and marked a turning point in modern architecture.
The centerpiece of the archive will be Safdie’s personal apartment at Habitat 67 housing complex. The school stated that the four-module duplex unit will serve as a resource for scholarly research, artist-in-residence programs, exhibitions and symposia. Fondation Habitat 67, a non-profit foundation, will collaborate with McGill on the preservation and maintenance of the apartment as part of its mandate to promote the property for public educational activities.
The complex was designated a National Heritage Building by the Quebec Ministry of Culture in 2009. Safdie’s 10th floor unit, which initially belonged to the commissioner of Expo 67, was fully restored to its original condition in 2017 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Habitat 67, and in conjunction with a major exhibition of Safdie Architects’ recent work at UQAM, entitled Habitat 67 vers l’avenir: The Shape of Things to Come.
“On behalf of the McGill community, I would like to express our gratitude to Moshe Safdie for his remarkable gift,” said Suzanne Fortier, McGill principal. “This is a historic moment for McGill. One of the most influential and important architectural archives in the world, from one of our most celebrated graduates, will forever be a part of our University.”
Key Takeaways:
WorkSafeBC has amended the rules around refusing unsafe work.
Employers must now disclose details of previous refusals.
They must also explain why the task is not unsafe.
The Whole Story:
WorkSafeBC announced new amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) that are now in effect. The group stated that the changes are designed to strengthen worker protections on the right to refuse unsafe work.
Employers are now required to inform workers about a previous work refusal before reassigning the work.
Prior to the amendment, the regulation did not explicitly prohibit the reassignment of refused work, or require the disclosure that another worker had refused the task due to health or safety concerns.
All workers in B.C. have the right to refuse work where there is reasonable cause to believe it would create an undue hazard to their health or safety.
Under the new rules, employers are required to notify workers in writing of any unresolved work refusal due to safety concerns. It also requires employers to tell the subsequent worker the specific reasons the first worker felt the task was unsafe. The employer must also explain why the task would not create an undue hazard to their health and safety.
The change to the OHSR followed a public and stakeholder consultation process by WorkSafeBC.
“Worker safety is our top priority and this regulatory change strengthens worker protections,” said Dan Strand, director of prevention field services at WorkSafeBC. “This amendment makes the right to refuse process more transparent and allows workers to make informed decisions.”
The need for this change was identified in the 2019 report by lawyer Lisa Helps called, WorkSafeBC and Government Action Review: Crossing the Rubicon.
During interviews for the report, Helps heard examples of workers expressing safety concerns to their supervisors and refusing to do the work, only to see the same task reassigned to another worker.
“Workers are your eyes and ears on the front line of workplace health and safety,” said Strand. “When workers refuse work, it’s because they believe it’s unsafe. Employers must listen to these concerns, assess the risk with the worker, document the decision, and ensure they take steps to correct the situation that could potentially cause harm.”
The company announced that Richard Hunter will take over the role.
Hunter has 40 years of manufacturing leadership and experience with large manufacturing companies, including Forterra, Trinity Industries, Terex Corporation, Danaher Corporation, Delphi Corporation and General Motors Corporation. Most recently, Hunter provided consulting services focused on business transformation and growth.
“I’m excited to welcome Rich as our new COO. Together with his extensive manufacturing experience, Rich’s track record of engaging teams and building healthy, performance-driven culture makes him a valuable addition to DIRTT,” said Benjamin Urban, DIRTT CEO. “Rich will be a key part of DIRTT’s growth as we unlock manufacturing capacity. His collaborative and inclusive approach will drive improvements in efficiency as DIRTT continues to focus on our strengths, delivering an agile construction system to our clients.”
Hunter has an MBA in operations and strategic planning from Purdue University, a master of science degree in manufacturing management from Kettering University, and a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University.
Key Takeaways:
B.C. is boosting efforts to upskill workers for mass timber projects with $250,000 in funding for additional educational programming.
The province is also helping fund the school’s Tall Timber Student Housing Project which is being built at its Burnaby Campus.
Crews broke ground on the housing project in 2020.
The Province currently has spent $732 million to fund 10 projects that involve mass timber at post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.
The Whole Story:
“We are investing in new post-secondary training for students to become leaders in mass timber construction, which will help people succeed and be future ready in a sector that is setting the example of how to build a better British Columbia for all,” said Anne Kang, minister of advanced education and skills training. “We’re also investing in student housing and projects that involve mass timber at post-secondary institutions, including providing $108.8 million toward BCIT’s new Tall Timber Student Housing, which is currently under construction.”
Logging On
Kang recently visited the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Applied Mass Timber Build open house, where she announced $250,000 in funding to support the development of additional programming. Officials noted the programming will build on the new construction of mass timber structures associate certificate.
“This program is a game changer for our construction industry and our growing mass timber sector here in B.C.,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation. “This investment will help ensure B.C. has enough workers with the right skills to build our buildings of the future – providing clean, inclusive, sustainable economic development in every corner of the province.”
The associate certificate was designed as a part-time, blended six-month program. The certificate is delivered online and then culminates in a two-week practicum at the BCIT Burnaby campus, where students get hands-on installation experience with mass timber structures. Officials say a cohort of 12 to 24 students will begin their studies in January 2023.
New Growth
The province estimates that the growing mass timber sector could be a boon for the economy, supporting more than 4,000 jobs across B.C. in manufacturing, technology, forestry, design and engineering. By 2035 the sector is projected to be with a projected worth of $403 million.
“As the largest provider of trades training in Western Canada, it’s critical that BCIT is delivering relevant, hands-on training to help learners master in-demand skills, while contributing toward an agile workforce with sustained and meaningful impact,” said Wayne Hand, dean, BCIT’s school of construction and the environment. “This investment from the Province of British Columbia allows more trades professionals in upskilling to advance mass timber innovation, clean-energy solutions, as well as the economic prosperity of B.C.”
Carrying the load
Mass timber products have been found to be useful as solid, structural load-bearing components, such as columns, beams and panels used to construct residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Recent years have seen landmark mass timber projects, like Brock Commons, an 18-storey mass timber structure used as housing for students at University of British Columbia.
“The BCIT introductory studies in mass timber construction micro-credential provided me with practical, industry-focused competencies to drive innovation in the growing field of mass timber,” said Mike Metcalfe, foreman for Seagate Mass Timber. “An expansion-education program, such as the construction of mass timber structures associate certificate, which I’m completing, will increase accessibility for professionals across sectors to be job ready in supporting new opportunities and demands of the workforce.”
