Vancouver, B.C. – September 9, 2026 – Safety is more than compliance. It is a business and leadership issue influencing risk, reputation, competitiveness, and access to work, with implications that extend well beyond individual companies.
That was a key message from the Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s (VRCA) All-Division Forum: The Business Side of Safety, which brought together more than 75 construction professionals on September 8 to examine the evolving safety landscape and what it means for the industry.
The discussion was facilitated by VRCA Board Members Mike Wallis, Regional Business Development and Sales Manager at Flynn Canada Ltd. and Craig Enns, Senior Vice President and Area Manager at EllisDon. It also featured Dr. Dave Baspaly, President of the Council of Construction Associations (COCA) and Mike McKenna, Executive Director of the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA).
VRCA’s All-Division Forums are designed to bring industry together to explore shared challenges, exchange perspectives with peers and subject matter experts, and identify opportunities for collective action. The collaborative format gives members a space to ask questions, share their experiences, and help shape the solutions to move the industry forward.
While construction has made progress in reducing non-fatal injuries, McKenna noted that serious and fatal injury rates remain a persistent challenge. The takeaway was clear: progress has been made, but there is still work to do.
The discussion also underscored the broader cost of getting safety wrong. Companies will either invest proactively in prevention or face the costs of incidents after they occur. At the industry level, the consequences can extend to workforce attraction and retention, productivity, and, ultimately, the broader economy – in addition to the fundamental responsibility to protect the people who build our communities.
Panelists pointed to leadership, trust, and culture as critical to improving safety outcomes. Wallis emphasized that commitment must start at the top, with leaders setting expectations and creating a culture where safety is embedded throughout the organization. Enns described safety as an evolving journey that requires organizations to continually learn and improve. He pointed to the Bradley Curve, which outlines the four stages of safety culture maturity, as a useful framework for understanding how organizations can move from a reactive approach to one where safety is a shared responsibility and part of how everyone works.
The panel also emphasized the importance of industry taking an active role in developing its own solutions. Dr. Baspaly stressed that if construction does not take the lead in addressing its safety challenges, solutions will increasingly be imposed through regulation – reinforcing the need for the industry to understand the “why” behind safety and drive meaningful change from within.
“Safety has always been fundamental to construction, but we need to think about its impact more broadly,” said Jeannine Martin, President of VRCA. “How we approach safety affects our people first and foremost, but it also affects the strength of our businesses, our ability to attract and retain the next generation of workers, and the long-term health of our industry. Conversations like this help us identify where we can make a meaningful difference together.”
The discussion also highlighted the importance of psychological health and peer support, including BCCSA’s RE-MIND and Well-Being & Recovery Hub resources.
Insights and feedback from the forum will help inform VRCA’s future resources, education, and advocacy around safety. Members are encouraged to continue the conversation by sharing their questions, challenges, and ideas with Martin at president@vrca.ca.
About VRCA
Since 1928, VRCA has been the voice of the Lower Mainland’s construction sector. We connect, educate, and advocate for members across all disciplines, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable industry. With over 1,000 members, VRCA facilitates collaboration among General and Trade Contractors, Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Professional Services providers to drive innovation, growth, and excellence in B.C.’s built environment.
Through integrated membership with the B.C. Construction Association (BCCA) and Canadian Construction Association (CCA), VRCA members are connected to advocacy, resources, and industry representation at the provincial and national levels. CCA is the national voice of Canada’s construction industry, representing more than 18,000 member firms across the country.
Learn more at vrca.ca.