VRCA members can access a recorded webinar on stress and anxiety management during COVID-19. The video recording will only be available through the end of October 30. This session provides attendees with a deeper understanding of anxiety and warning signs of stress and compassion fatigue. The counsellor explains why experiencing anxiety and stress are [...]
The last session of the 5 Part Virtual Summit included in the Psychological Support Toolkit for Employees and Employers: COVID-19 will be streamed at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29. It will feature an industry leaders panel providing their perspective on COVID-19 and the effects on mental health and wellness in the workplace. Register [...]
The Canadian government has extended the deadline for businesses to file claims for Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) investment tax credits. What does the extension mean for Canadian construction companies? Not only do companies have more time to file their claims; the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has also reduced its refund processing time [...]
On July 17, the federal government announced proposed changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) that would broaden the reach of the program and provide better targeted support so that more workers can return to their jobs quickly as the economy restarts. Click here for more details, including the revised rate structure of [...]
The construction industry partners challenging B.C.’s Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) will be in court July 16 and 17 to appeal the B.C. Supreme Court ruling that stalled the judicial review last February. The B.C. Court of Appeal will be asked to overturn Supreme Court Justice Christopher Giaschi’s decision striking portions of the petition for [...]
To help companies navigate these turbulent times, VRCA’s long-time strategic partner, Results Canada, has launched a complimentary weekly webinar series designed to bring you tools, strategies and best practices to unleash the potential in yourself and your business. Each week, a one-hour webinar features subject matter experts and thought leaders on all topics related [...]
There is still time to lend your support to the construction industry’s push for the federal government to establish an emergency COVID-19 Construction Cost Relief Program. VRCA has joined the Canadian Construction Association in calling for the federal government to exercise fairness and consideration when addressing schedule and cost impacts experienced by contractors on [...]
The Government of Canada has released additional details about the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program, which will lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses affected by COVID-19. The program will provide qualifying commercial property owners with forgivable loans to cover 50 per cent of monthly rents payable by small business [...]
Companies and not-for-profit organizations that have been affected by COVID-19 can now apply for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Applications opened on April 27, with the first payments expected to be issued by May 7. Employers can apply to receive a wage subsidy of 75 per cent of employee wages for up to 12 [...]
Scott Construction Group has partnered with ITC Construction Group to launch the #LunchBoxChallenge to support local restaurants while also protecting the health of its employees during COVID-19. The idea of the #LunchBoxChallenge is simple: construction companies buy lunches locally for their sites and nominate another company to do the same. “Our mental health committee [...]
The Government of Canada has released additional details about the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, which is intended to help businesses keep workers on payroll or rehire workers previously laid off as a result of COVID-19. The federal wage subsidy will cover 75 per cent of an individual’s salary, up to a maximum benefit of [...]
The BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) has launched a daily video conference to answer COVID-19 related questions from the province’s construction industry. Each morning at 9 a.m., BCCSA’s regional safety advisors will be joined on the line by Dr. Melanie Gorman-Ng, BCCSA’s senior research scientist. Dr. Gorman-Ng is a hygienist with a sub-specialty in [...]
The governments of Canada and British Columbia have both announced financial measures to help businesses and individuals weather the economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures, which are described as first steps, range from wage subsidies to business loans and deferred payments of taxes and import tariffs. Since various program details are still [...]
With coverage of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continuing to dominate the news, VRCA has launched a new resource page to help member companies and their employees be informed about the illness and current advice from health professionals. The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) resource page includes: • Up-to-date information provided by HealthLinkBC; • Advice on [...]
Employment in British Columbia’s construction industry is expected to grow by nearly 8 per cent – approximately 16,600 jobs – over the coming decade. At the same time, B.C.’s construction workforce is getting older. By 2029, some 44,200 men and women – approximately 22 per cent of construction workers – are expected to retire. [...]
Contractors wanting to understand how B.C.’s Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) will be applied may find the answers they need in an updated Contractor & Subcontractor Q and A document produced by B.C. Infrastructure Benefits Inc. (BCIB). The updated Q&A, which was posted recently to a redesigned BCIB website, provides answers to several questions VRCA [...]
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is aware of concerns related to rising insurance costs for certain lines of business, such as commercial condominium, commercial trucking and school boards. Consumers in other sectors may also experience similar challenges. To address the concerns, IBC has created a National Commercial Insurance Task Force to examine the [...]
VRCA members surveyed tell us the No. 1 issue keeping them up at night is the skilled labour shortage. And with good reason: The Lower Mainland will be short 7,300 skilled tradesmen and women by late 2021, and short 17,400 by 2029. Province wide, the construction industry will be short 11,700 skilled trades professionals [...]
VRCA members surveyed tell us the No. 1 issue keeping them up at night is the skilled labour shortage. And with good reason – the Lower Mainland’s construction industry is busy and unemployment in the construction industry is below 4 per cent, placing it near historic lows. On Feb. 6, BuildForce Canada released its [...]
Are you looking for an in-person opportunity to explore whether your company may be eligible for Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) investment tax credits? Ben Pritchard, a consultant from London-based Invennt Business Inc., will be in Vancouver from March 4-6 and available to meet with VRCA members. To encourage and boost innovation in [...]