February has been a month of momentum. With a municipal election ahead of us this fall, and a new provincial budget on the table, we are focused on one thing: ensuring the construction industry’s voice is clear, credible, and impossible to ignore.
Provincial Engagement
February saw the tabling of the Provincial Budget. Through our partnership with the B.C. Construction Association (BCCA), VRCA continues to align regional advocacy with a strong, unified provincial voice. Following Budget 2026, BCCA made it clear that B.C.’s construction industry is ready to deliver as government doubles down on infrastructure investment. That message matters. When government signals major capital spending, it creates opportunity, but only if projects move from announcement to execution.
VRCA will continue working closely with BCCA and our regional partners to ensure that construction remains front and centre in provincial decision-making, and that commitments made in Victoria result in real projects, real jobs, and real economic impact across the Lower Mainland and throughout B.C.
Our thoughts on the provincial budget:
- We welcome the continued commitment to capital spending. Construction will play a central role in delivering these projects and reinforcing that B.C. is open for business.
- There needs to be an answer the deficit – creating growth to bring more revenue and infrastructure investment is one way to improve the deficit, though current investments have not moved the needle enough.
- Expanding PST will increase costs for B.C.’s construction industry and add pressure to project budgets.
- Doubling investment in trades training is a positive step and must be sustained long term.
- Cutting red tape and streamlining permitting remains essential to getting projects built faster and more efficiently.
Municipal Engagement
With municipal elections approaching this fall, our focus is firmly on early and meaningful engagement at City Hall. Over the coming months, VRCA will be meeting with mayors and councils across the Lower Mainland to discuss the challenges facing construction, from permitting timelines and procurement practices to workforce needs and project delivery. Our first municipal meeting is scheduled for this Tuesday, March 3 with the City of Abbotsford and Wednesday, March 4 with the City of Burnaby, with additional meetings planned throughout the coming months.
Watch your inbox in the coming weeks for the launch of:
- The launch of the BuildLowerMainland.ca municipal election website
- A new Lower Mainland Construction Stat Pack
- A concise Municipal One-Pager outlining key industry priorities
The Stat Pack provides localized data on permits, labour pressures, and project activity, giving elected officials a clear picture of construction’s economic footprint. This municipal cycle will shape housing delivery, infrastructure timelines, and local fees for the next four years. We are engaging early because municipalities do not just influence construction. They control the pace.
Bring Trades to School
Our Bring Trades to School (BTS) program continues to expand its impact across the Lower Mainland. This spring, students are gaining hands-on exposure to construction careers, connecting directly with industry professionals, and learning that trades are not a backup plan. They are a first choice career pathway.
To support educators, parents, and students, we also continue to promote our Trades Pathways Flow Chart, a clear, easy-to-follow visual guide outlining routes from high school into apprenticeships, post-secondary training, and long-term construction careers. It is designed to simplify what can often feel like a complex system and demonstrate that there are multiple entry points into the industry. Click here to view and download the Trades Pathways Flow Chart.
Federal Engagement
At the federal level, our partners at the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) are keeping a strong focus on trade and transportation infrastructure. As CCA President Rodrigue Gilbert said recently in The Hill Times, the reality is simple: if we cannot move our goods efficiently, we cannot compete. And that affects jobs, investment, and economic growth right now, not years from now.
CCA is calling for smart, timely investments in ports, trade corridors, and transportation networks that keep Canada connected to global markets and strengthen our supply chains. For VRCA members, this matters. When trade flows smoothly, projects move, businesses grow, and confidence increases across the industry. We will continue to support this national advocacy to ensure construction remains central to Canada’s economic strategy.
BUILDEX & The Connector Lounge
February also means: BUILDEX.
At BUILDEX Vancouver, the VRCA Connector Lounge once again became a hub for conversation, connection, and industry insight. From panel discussions to networking mixers, our space was designed to bring members together and keep advocacy at the centre of the conversation. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, participated in sessions, or joined us for our Board and YCL events.
As we move toward spring, our focus is clear: early engagement, strong data, and consistent advocacy at every level of government.
Thank you for your continued support and participation. Your voice strengthens ours.