April is BC Construction Month, a time to recognize the people and projects driving our industry and its impact on the economy and communities. It has also been a strong month of advocacy in action, from Victoria to the jobsite and beyond.
IBC Collaborative Contracts Conference
We attended the inaugural collaborative contracts conference hosted by Infrastructure BC on April 27–29 which brought together local and national leaders from government and private industry to explore the future of collaborative project delivery. Discussions covered Alliance contracts, Progressive Design-Build, Target Price, and Integrated Project Delivery, offering valuable perspectives from procurement, design, construction, and legal professionals. There seemed to be a shared commitment to improving outcomes through stronger alignment, transparency, and innovation across the industry. We are hopeful these conversations can help progress projects that have been delayed due to cost uncertainty.
Upcoming Division Forum: Fuel Price Impacts on Construction – Monday, May 4 at 12:00 PM
Fuel price volatility continues to impact projects across the industry, and many of you are feeling it firsthand in estimating, bidding and contract performance.
We invite you to join us for an all-division forum on Fuel Price Impacts on Construction, designed to bring members together for a practical, solutions-focused conversation where you will hear from industry experts including Katy Fairley, Jordan Kvist (CCA), and Scott Harcus (Alexander Holburn).
We will cover:
What fuel volatility means for project costs and timelines
Key contractual risks to be aware of
Practical strategies to help manage and mitigate exposure
Whether you are a general contractor, trade contractor, supplier or consultant, this session is built to support better decision-making and give you insights you can apply right away. Secure your spot here.
Advocacy in Action: BCCA Day at the Legislature
Fresh off VRCA’s Young Construction Leaders Day at the Legislature, VRCA joined industry partners from across the province in Victoria for BCCA’s Day at the Legislature, bringing the voice of construction directly to decision-makers.
Meetings with MLAs focused on priorities that continue to shape project delivery across B.C., including prompt payment, procurement fairness, workforce shortages and permitting modernization. These conversations matter and they reinforce that construction is not on the sidelines. Our industry is at the table helping shape solutions.
New Builders’ Bench Episode: A Reality Check for Construction
This month on The Builders’ Bench, we released a new episode featuring BCCA President Chris Atchison, unpacking the latest BCCA Stat Pack and Industry Survey.
The conversation offers a timely reality check on the state of construction in B.C., from market uncertainty and workforce pressures to project opportunities ahead. It is a grounded discussion on what the data is telling us and what it means for industry and government moving forward.
If you have not listened yet, we encourage you to tune in and share it with your teams.
National Watch: Costs, Competitiveness and Federal Signals
Two big economic announcements this month are worth putting on your radar.
First up, the Canadian Construction Association released its Spring Construction Quarterly Economic Insights, and it offers a useful pulse check on where the industry stands.
The takeaway? Construction is holding steady, but rising costs, tariffs and global uncertainty are adding pressure, especially in steel-heavy sectors. It is a timely reminder that certainty and practical risk-sharing matter.
Also this month, the federal government released its Spring Economic Update, and there is a lot in it for construction. Highlights include $6 billion over five years through Team Canada Strong to help recruit and train skilled trades workers, along with a new $25 billion Canada Strong Fund to support major nation-building projects.
So what does it mean? Taken together, these are important signals about where investment may be heading and how governments are thinking about workforce and infrastructure. For construction, it raises real questions, and opportunities, around capacity, project delivery and how these programs support all workers who build Canada. Tune into the latest episode of the Builders’ Bench for a full breakdown on both reports.
In mid-April, VRCA was invited to speak at the Vancouver Community College CredX event to discuss how the construction industry is working to bridge today’s skills gap while preparing for the workforce needs of the future. As industry demands continue to evolve faster than traditional upskilling efforts can respond, collaboration between educators, employers, and industry leaders is critical. There is a strong desire to co-create practical, responsive solutions and closer alignment between training pathways and real-world industry needs.
As we move through Construction Month and into a busy spring, our focus remains clear: amplifying the voice of construction, advancing practical solutions, and ensuring our members are represented where decisions are made.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support. Let’s keep building together.