It is with great sadness as we learn of the death of a long-time VICA Member Duane Roger Fournier of Fournier Excavating.

Duane served as Board Chair of the Mid-Island Construction Association (MICA) from 2001 – 2002 and again in 2007 – 2008, serving on the MICA Board from 2000 to 2011. Born into construction, Duane took over operations of the company from his parents Sid and Dorothy in 2005, spending his entire career with the company.

Duane was a familiar face around the construction community in the Nanaimo area and his absence will be truly missed. Duane is survived by his wife of 16 years, Marcia, parents Sid and Dorothy, sisters Diana (Greg), Denise (Brian), and nephews Erick and Chase.

On behalf of the Vancouver Island Construction Association staff, board and members, we send our deepest condolences to Duane’s family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held in his honour Saturday, January 28 from 1-4 p.m. at the Nanaimo Golf Club.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Birds of Prey, Wildlife Recovery, or Wild Arc.

The following is an article from VICA Instructor Tony Healy.

“Experience is the knowledge you gain just after you needed it.” Anonymous

As the saying goes, “the only constant in life is change.” It doesn’t take much to notice that, these days, change is ever accelerating. Technology, demographic shifts, and evolving economic conditions are transforming our world in ways that we have yet to truly appreciate. Some changes are wonderful while some destroy our environment, undermine the human spirit and threaten our very survival. All are a challenge to our traditional institutions, practices, and beliefs, and your organization or company is no different.

Often, we look at these challenges and look to prescribe traditional management practices of pushing harder or longer or looking for new people to replace the “ineffective”. Many times, however, the effort to solve pressing problems is met with policy resistance, where our policies are delayed, diluted, or defeated by unseen forces. Frequently, our best efforts to solve a problem actually makes things worse. Moreover, the pace of change means that we sometimes feel that we are constantly reacting, scrambling and chasing.

What if there was a new way to do things? What if I told you that there was a new (existing) way of leading that could move with the times, anticipate change, stay more than one step ahead of your competition and create the kind of environment where emergent systematic success is possible? I would certainly hope to get your attention. Well, thinking about your organization as a dynamic system is where we begin and turning you into a systems thinker is where we’d like to take you.

Let’s start with recognizing that we are all part of a complex social system comprised of systems built upon systems embedded in still more systems in exactly the same way that you as a human being are governed by the multiple systems keeping you alive. A system is defined as a group of interdependent entities working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network in pursuit of a common goal. Systems must consist of three kinds of things: elements, interconnections, and a function or purpose[1] – think nervous system, cardiovascular system, ecosystem etc.

A system is more than the some of its parts and there are some fundamental things to understand about their dynamics. First, the structure of the system generates its behaviour. Dynamics emerge from the interaction of each element in their physical space especially regarding information availability and decision rules. Secondly, your mental models matter a lot. It is not enough to just change the physical structure of your system or alter information flows to change its behavior. Thirdly avoid the fundamental attribution error. The first instinct is to blame the person in the system. This is almost always a low leverage reaction. Lastly, there are system structures that produce such common patterns of problematic behavior that we consider them archetypes. Being able to identify them and their impacts enables a leader to recognize where to make high-leverage change in structure, behavior and impact outcomes.

Your company is a system with elements such as workers, forepersons, superintendents, project managers, business developers, office staff and so on. The interconnections are the rules of the game, the company strategy, the communications, and the business rules and laws that govern the activities of the marketplace. The purpose of any company is to be productive, or create high quality, or deliver innovation, or make millions of dollars, or all of the above. What’s yours? Have you considered the structure of your system? Do you know where to look for limits and constraints or the root causes of unwanted outcomes? Do you think systematically?

Systems thinking is a way of understanding and analyzing the relationships and interactions between the parts of a system. It is a holistic approach that recognizes that the parts of a system are interconnected and that the behavior of one part can have an impact on the behavior of other parts.

In systems thinking, the focus is on understanding the dynamics of the system as a whole rather than just the individual parts. We understand that “you can’t just do one thing” and that “everything is connected to everything else.” More and more this approach is being used in fields such as engineering, management, and biology to analyze and improve complex systems.

There are several key concepts in systems thinking, including feedback loops, stocks and flows, and emergent behavior. Feedback loops are pathways in a system through which information or energy can flow, and they can be positive (amplifying) or negative (stabilizing). Stocks and flows refer to the accumulation and depletion of resources within a system, and emergent behavior refers to the unexpected and often complex patterns that can emerge within a system as a result of the interactions between its parts.

Systems thinking can be applied to a wide range of problems and situations, including organizational and business problems, environmental and ecological issues, and social and political challenges. By understanding the dynamics of a system, it is possible to identify leverage points where small changes can have a big impact, and to design interventions that can improve the performance of the system as a whole in the pursuit of its goals – your goals.

Those leaders who develop a systems-thinking mindset and see that the world is a complex system with non-linear feedback loops and emergent behaviours learn to know where to make changes and where not. They know who to empower and who to support. They learn how to listen to the system and apply leverage at the right spots. They also learn how to systematize their success.  What kind of a system are you building?

[1] Meadows, Donella H.. Thinking in Systems (p. 11). Chelsea Green Publishing. Kindle Edition.

The following article was written by Dr. Lindsay Langill, Director of People and Strategy for VICA-Member PPM Civil Constructors.

Stories often have a way to help our minds further understand a phenomenon. According to Greek mythology, Procrustes was an innkeeper who operated his establishment along a busy road. He believed in uniformity. Yet not all travelers that he compelled to sleep in the iron guest bed were the same size and thus if they were too tall, he would cut off their limbs or if they were too short, he would stretch them to make them fit the bed. This story has led us to what we understand today as the Procrustean Rule – a standard that enforces uniformity without regard for individuality.

Within education there are well established learning theories that not only explain how learning takes place but also why learning occurs. These theories provide us with a relevant conceptual framework for interpreting the learning processes and direct our attention to those variables that are crucial in achieving the desired outcomes. There are many long-standing learning theories such as behaviourism, constructivism, cognitivism, and social learning theories, so it would be appropriate to state that learning theories provide guidance in the design, development, and implementation of an effective training program intended to increase workforce competence, capacity for change, and competitiveness. What must be understood is that no two people learn in the same way.

Current Model of Apprenticeship Training

The current Canadian model of apprenticeship training has seen little change over time. Better known as a “time-based system,” it is a system that requires each registered apprentice to attend the same amount of time in school and compile a minimum set number of work-place hours prior to writing a final qualification exam. Apprentices are released from their place of employment to attend school for a short period of time each year. The period of time spent in school is the same for each student. To provide example, an electrical apprentice attending the second level of technical training will attend school for 10 weeks and the lesson constructs will follow a prescribed program outline that covers all the competencies/tasks required of a second-year apprentice. This current program methodology works if all students have the same background, experience, and learning style. But what about the student who comes to the class with advanced experience in support of these competencies or for the student who may do better through a different learning modality? Time based systems follow the Procrustean rule of uniformity where individuality is not a consideration.

The Current Employment Dilemma

A recent news release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics put out by the US Department of Labor shows the current unemployment rate at 3.5% with a continued downward trend. The Canadian Labour market reveals a similar trend with the unemployment rate at 5.2%. One sector that relies heavily on the apprenticeship system to train up skilled men and women is the construction sector. Residential, Commercial, and Industrial construction employers depend heavily on having a skilled workforce to complete their projects. Skilled trades are in demand and companies are competing for labor. In many instances, employers are holding their apprentices back from attending technical training as they can not afford the loss of a productive apprentice in a tight labor market. It is not that employers do not value the schooling; they just do not have the labor capacity to replace the apprentice during this time while they are away at school.

A Model for Consideration – Competency Based Training

Long practiced in countries such as Australia, Europe, and the UK, competency-based training and assessment have a respected history. But what is competency-based training? According to the National Skills Center of Australia, “competency-based training is a structured approach to training and assessment that is directed toward achieving specific outcomes.” Another research group states that “what sets competency-based training apart from other more traditional methods of training and assessment, is that it is learner-focused and flexible. Leaners are actively involved in shaping their learning journeys, supported by competencies which allow a natural progression through the hierarchy of expertise.”  When learners have a deep understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and the competencies where they lack or excel, they are better able to focus their development efforts to improve their shortcomings. Identifying a learner’s training gaps allows for targeted training which can lead to a more highly skilled individual. Competency based training places the emphasis on individual skills rather than the overall learning experience which can save considerable time. Another researcher stated that “compared with the traditional approach to training, the competency-based approach potentially leads to individualized flexible training, a reduction in time away from the workplace, transparent standards, and increased public accountability.”

In summary, a modernized approach to apprenticeship training could be a move away from the time-based model to a competency-based approach, thus saving the apprentice time away from the workplace while allowing individuality to occur in learning using the behavioral approach. Reducing time away from the workplace would benefit the employer while a tailored training approach that focuses on individual skills could help modernize the Canadian apprenticeship system. A competency-based system could benefit all stakeholders in trades and apprenticeship training and would provide a good starting point towards modernizing apprenticeship.

Dr. Lindsay Langill holds Red Seal certification as a Welder and Industrial Mechanic and has a Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts degree from UBC along with a Doctorate from the University of Calgary. He is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Education at UBC, Director of People and Strategy for Pacific Pile and Marine ULC, and Chair of the JLATA Board.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 21, 2022 (Victoria, BC) – The best part of the holidays is giving back. In the spirit of the season, members of the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) raised over $20,000 for families in need on Vancouver Island. Through VICA’s Grocery Gift Card program and Holiday Toy Drives, members donated $13,000 and $7,000 respectively.

Of the $20,000, $13,000 will be used to purchase grocery gift cards that will be distributed to Vancouver Island elementary schools and given to families in need throughout the year. As many families are aware, the price of keeping food on the table is ceaselessly increasing, with many living paycheque to paycheque.

“Working directly with families, often we go beyond our educator role and learn the realities of the hardship many of our families are currently facing. Being able to offer support outside the classroom for our students and their families is essential in our community school,” said Shauna Coey Principal, Georgia Avenue Community School. “We are always appreciative of the generosity VICA-Members this time of year and thank them for their continued support of our school community”.

Recipient schools include Ruth King Elementary in Langford, Tillicum in Saanich, George Jay and Oaklands Elementary Schools in Victoria, and Georgia Avenue Community School in Nanaimo and Cedar Elementary in Campbell River. Each elementary school received $2,150 worth of grocery gift cards to give to families in their school communities that need it the most.

“Even through uncertain economic times, VICA Members always step up with their generosity year after year, making a difference in our Vancouver Island communities,” said VICA CEO Rory Kulmala. “We are fortunate to have a strong construction economy on Vancouver Island, allowing our members to express their support for the communities in which we work and live. The holidays can be a stressful time for anyone, and we hope our donations will be able to ease that burden for those in need.”

Money was raised for the grocery gift card program through VICA’s Annual Christmas Luncheon, which was held December 9^th at the Delta Ocean Pointe Hotel. Members donated through sponsorship, ticket sales, 50/50 tickets as well as a “change challenge”, which saw Members empty their pockets and fill buckets of paint cans with loonies and toonies.

In addition to the grocery gift card program, $7,000 worth of new, unwrapped toys were collected at both VICA offices and donated to CFAX’s Santa’s Anonymous, The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive, and the Parksville Society of Organized Services; plus a $500 donation to the Ladysmith Resource Centre.

For a complete list of VICA Member toy donors, visit www.vicabc.ca/toys

Pictured (L-R): Rory Kulmala, VICA CEO, Shauna Coey, Principal, Georgia Avenue Community School. 2022

MEDIA CONTACT
Owen O’Rourke
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA)
owen@vicabc.ca | 250-800-1722

ABOUT VICA
As the Vancouver Island Construction Association, we serve our construction community: the institutional, commercial, industrial, civil, and multi-family residential construction sectors on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and other coastal areas of British Columbia. VICA members come from all areas of our industry from owners, designers, and contractors to purchasers of construction services. With roots that date back to 1912, we are one of the oldest not-for-profit construction associations in Canada.

– 30 –

Representatives from Victoria and Nanaimo voted in by the membership.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 29, 2022 (Victoria, BC) – The Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) and its membership received five industry leaders to its 2022-2023 Board of Directors during their Annual General Meeting on November 17^th, 2022. There were ten nominees from across Vancouver Island.

Continuing to utilize online voting software, the 2022/23 election saw a high percentage of eligible members participate in the election. Each Industry Member is entitled to one vote per election. 2022’s Annual General Meeting represented the first AGM since the loosening of pandemic restrictions, allowing VICA Members and their guests to celebrate their new board. The 2022 AGM was held at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse in Saanichton, BC.

For 2022/23 we welcome Kate Ulmer, Herold Engineering, as our new Board Chair, Stuart Cuthbert, Slegg Building Materials, as Vice-Chair, Barclay Ellis, Trades Labour Corporation (TLC) Victoria, as Treasurer, and Scott Torry,

AFC Construction, as Secretary. Kate Ulmer represents the second woman ever to be VICA Board Chair in the 110-Year history of the Vancouver Island Construction Association, with Carole Bissett being first in 2009. As the industry continues to encourage women in find careers in construction, having women in leadership positions at the highest level of our sector will optimistically inspire women and girls to consider construction as a vocation.

VICA Members also welcomed Joshua Fayerman, Milestone Equipment Contracting, Mark Donahue, EllisDon, and Mark Wong, Kinetic Construction, to the board. Incumbent Directors James Clapp, Wilson M Beck Insurance Services and Chris Williams, Houle Elected, were re-elected for another term.    

Outgoing director Mark Liudzius, Kinetic Construction, was recognized for his years of service on the VICA Board. Mark has been a pivotal figure in the industry for over 40 years, and we thank him for his contributions to the Vancouver Island Construction Association as well as the construction industry on Vancouver Island.

CEO / CHAIR QUOTES

“Another year has passed and another year of challenges that went along with it. The industry continues to deliver on the unprecedented demand for construction services and we eagerly await any new challenges which may arise. With that said, I am pleased to advise that the Vancouver Island Construction Association has elected an experienced, diverse Board of Directors to steward the Association forward into 2023.”

• Rory Kulmala, Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Island Construction Association

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve as the chair of the VICA board for 2023.  I look forward to ongoing collaboration with our talented and diverse board, the VICA members, and VICA staff for their continued commitment to our industry as we work to deliver projects that positively impact Vancouver Island Communities. As chair, I am committed to supporting VICA’s pillars of advocacy, professional development, good governance, and member value to keep our Island industry positioned for continued success.”

• Kate Ulmer, Board Chair, Herold Engineering

MEDIA & INTERVIEW INQUIRIES
Owen O’Rourke
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA)
owen@vicabc.ca | 250-800-1722

ABOUT VICA
As the Vancouver Island Construction Association, we serve our construction community: the institutional, commercial, industrial, civil, and multi-family residential construction sectors on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and other coastal areas of British Columbia. VICA members come from all areas of our industry from owners, designers, and contractors to purchasers of construction services. With roots that date back to 1912, we are one of the oldest not-for-profit construction associations in Canada.

 (L-R) Joshua Fayerman, Milestone Equipment Contracting, Mark Donahue, EllisDon, Mark Wong, Kinetic Construction, James Clapp, Wilson M Beck Insurance Services, Chris Williams, Houle Electric.

– 30 –

The following is an op-ed written by Dr. Lindsay Langill, Director of People and Strategy for VICA-Member PPM Civil Constructors.

I have often considered the early explorers as being those who had the desire to go just a little further than others, manage their fears, and conquer daily challenges that were completely foreign to them. Changing one’s career mid-life may not present the same challenges and fears as those experienced by early explorers, yet it is not without consternation, especially if you are a woman considering a career move to the industrial trades. Amanda is one such example.

Having raised three children and spent 17 years working in the human sector field, Amanda was not enthusiastic about her job and where it was leading– it was just a means to a paycheck. She would often think back to her younger days of growing up on the farm. In her youth, she was always fascinated by the creative abilities of her grandfather who was a welder and how he could apply his imaginative skills to life. Amanda asserted

“I loved being with him, helping him, and was intrigued by the beauty of working with metal, and his innate ability to fix metal. I just felt a connection to what he was doing. What he was able to do was utterly amazing and I always wanted to have those same skills.”

While working in the education system, Amanda would often see provisional opportunities for youth to enter the trades, but nothing for adults until last year when LNG Canada provided Women Building Futures the funding necessary to deliver a “trades readiness” program for adult women. This program became the pivotal turning point in Amanda’s life.

Today, Amanda is employed by PPM Civil Constructors and is welding on the LNG Load line Trestle project at Kitimat, BC. Helping build Canada’s largest private sector project while learning a trade is a dream come true. As an apprentice, Amanda is discovering what it is like to be a welder on a large-scale industrial project. Amanda comes to work each day with the mindset to learn, to achieve, and to contribute. Her General Foreman has commented on her work ethic and ability to fit in. He has stated “she just wants to learn – every day and gives it her absolute best effort.” Amanda fully recognizes that a cheerful outlook is everything and states, “I have such great mentors and journeymen leading the way, helping me with my learning goals.”

Amanda is scheduled to attend technical training in 2023. The immensity of this project has exposed her to a world class construction project and has provided this apprentice with an experience that will well position her prior to attending school and serve her well in her new sought career.

This opportunity did not happen by chance. It received the input and full support of many who understand the complexity of trades, and the apprenticeship journey. Key contributors to making an apprenticeship a success story for those who have shown the desire to begin this journey are:

• Matching the apprentice to a group of strong mentors who have received mentorship training
• As a company, staying true to the principles of having “zero-tolerance” for inappropriate behavior and any who discriminate against others
• Support groups such as Women Building Futures and provide employment and apprenticeship opportunities to individuals graduating from these programs
• Provide frequent progress reports to the apprentice outlining their growth, strengths, and signifying opportunities for growth
• Incorporate these workers into the team by having them take on team leadership roles
• Understand the technical training curriculum so to align the work-based tasks expected of the apprentice with their level of schooling

Remember, “someone once opened the door that gave each one of us the opportunity to begin on a successful trade’s pathway, and now it is our turn to do the same.” 

Dr. Lindsay Langill holds Red Seal certification in 2 trades and has a Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts degree from UBC along with a Doctorate from the University of Calgary. He is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Education at UBC, Director of Labor Relations for Clough-Pacific, and Chair of the JLATA Board.

The following is a media release from Sources Community Resource regarding their Building Hope video, which raises awareness about the opioid overdose crisis and toxic drug supply affecting men in the trades.

July 27, 2022

(For immediate release) Building Hope: Men in the Trades and Substance Use, a video series raising awareness about the opioid overdose crisis and the impact of the toxic drug supply on people in the trades, is launching at a hybrid event at the Whiterock Community Center and on Zoom on July 28 at noon Pacific. The primary video, 9 minutes in length, features four men with experience in the construction industry and trades, as well as lived experience with substance use. The men speak to their fellow tradespeople about their experiences using substances and offer information on how to stay safer in the drug-poisoning era. There are also four 1-minute spotlight videos featuring each of the men: Trevor Botkin, Kale Moth, Daniel Snyder, and Rob Tournour.

The goal of the video series Building Hope: Men in the Trades and Substance Use is to raise awareness about the drug poisoning crisis, reduce the stigma toward people who use substances, and promote help-seeking among men in the trades and construction and inform workers about the employers ‘duty to accommodate’. Ultimately, the intention is to save lives. Men account for 80% of overdose deaths in Canada, which has become a leading cause of death across the country. Men in the trades are at particular risk of experiencing substance use-related harms, including overdose. Several factors contribute to these trends, including chronic pain, toxic masculinity and stigma, and workplace drug policies which can contribute to men being less likely to speak openly about their substance use and mental health.

Building Hope: Men in the Trades and Substance Use videos have been produced for The Tides of Change South Surrey, Whiterock Overdose Prevention and Response Community Action Team in British Columbia. Producers George Passmore, Matthew Huot, and Lorna Thomas worked with Base Two Media and a consulting team to develop the videos with the assistance of Health Canada, CAI Community Action Initiative, City of Whiterock, Sources Community Resource Center Community Resources Society.

The following is an article from the Journal of Commerce, featuring commentary from VICA CEO Rory Kulmala. Published on July 20, 2022

Russell Hixson 

The Lower Mainland is feeling the heat of supply chain issues.

Chris Atchison, president of the B.C. Construction Association (BCCA) said supply chain disruption and escalating costs of goods are worse than he’s ever seen and there doesn’t appear to be any relief on the horizon.

“Unfortunately, cost increases are widespread, affecting all trades and project stages,” said Atchison. “It’s not only the main structural materials — glass, rebar, steel, lumber — but crucial smaller items such as screws, plates, fasteners, metal door frames, electrical panels, and much more.” 

He explained this causes a double-impact as projects are delayed by shortages and then costs continue to climb during the delay.   

The BCCA recommended contractors currently working on projects should engage with owners proactively and regularly, bringing facts that clearly demonstrate the reality of price increases and communicating the anticipated impacts on the project. 

“You’re in this together and not talking about it is not a solution,” said Atchison. 

Contractors are being more selective about which projects to bid on, he said, making sure contract terms include escalation clauses and other risk mitigations.  

“If they can’t factor in an appropriate level of risk and make sure that the risk is allocated to the party best positioned to manage it, they won’t bid,” he said.

“Our members are bringing this to our attention more and more, specifically the cost escalations. It is a real pressure cooker for our members,” said Donna Grant, president of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA). 

Grant is taking these concerns straight to decision-makers. She has reached out to every single MLA in the Lower Mainland asking to chat while they are in their home ridings. She already has meetings set up and is working on more.
“Our MLAs need to hear about our industry,” said Grant. “We came to the table when we were deemed an essential service and kept the B.C. economy going with little fanfare.”

Despite this, Grant noted the province has dragged its feet on prompt payment legislation and is now being told it might have to be revisited next year. 

“That’s not good enough,” she said. “It’s low hanging fruit and our members are taking a lot of hits right now when they were the ones who kept the economy going.” 

Grant explained if issues around fixed price contracts, cost escalations and inflexible owners aren’t addressed, many might rethink being in the industry. 

“We need a bigger recognition of how important this industry is to all our lives,” she said. “We need passable roads, safe hospitals, schools for children and that all takes construction. There is a lot of pressure on our industry and that needs recognition.”

Vancouver Island is also feeling the pain. Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association, explained supply chain and labour availability are lagging in light of the demand for construction. 

“Materials are in demand globally and this has stressed our B.C. and national markets significantly,” he said. “As little as three years ago, we saw that materials that would normally take four-to-six-month lead time are now, in some cases, near doubled. From fuel to raw materials such as cement, petroleum-based products, and special-order materials, add on the increased costs of distribution, and the costs of these materials are hitting an all-time high.”

HVAC equipment, elevating equipment and specialty finishing items that are imported are taking much longer and at a higher cost. 

“Everything is costing more,” he said. “In some cases, anywhere from 30 per cent to 50 per cent.”

This is causing island contractors to be very careful with their bidding and not holding pricing very long. Kulmala explained they are less likely to provide guaranteed pricing for work that may not start for several months. If they do, they may be including further inflated pricing for both materials and labour.  

“If they are already under contract, they are either absorbing these price increases or making claims for reimbursement,” he said. “Ultimately, these costs will be borne by the owner.” 

Owners like the City of Vancouver acknowledged they have seen volatility in the supply chain sector and an increase in costs associated with the supply of materials and services that support our construction programs. 

“To mitigate against these challenges, we constantly monitor the inventory of material with our supply vendors, review service contracts against market inflationary conditions, evaluate alternate construction materials with lower cost escalations and maintain ongoing communication with our clients and service providers to ensure project delivery is maintained,” said the city. “In addition to the above, rigorous project schedule and budget tracking helps ensure impacts related to construction cost increases are minimized.”

The following is a letter from VICA’s CEO Rory Kulmala addressed to the Honourable Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education and Child Care regarding the proposed Cedar Hill Middle School replacement project.

Re: Cedar Hill Middle School – Shop Classroom(s)

Dear Minister Whiteside,

As I am sure you are aware, Greater Victoria School District 61 is currently reviewing requirements for the replacement of Cedar Hill Middle School (CHMS). The school has four exploratory classes in which all students participate over the three years they attend the school: Home Economics (Textiles & Food Studies combo), Art, Drama, and Tech Ed (Woodshop/Metal Shop combo). However, in the new school plans, the woodshop has been removed due to the estimated $500,000 average cost of the purchase and maintenance of the exhaust system required in the woodshop. It has been proposed that a Makerspace replaces the Woodshop.

As such, I must express my disappointment and concerns over the current direction of this project.

Our industry continues to struggle in attracting workers. According to BuildForce Canada, a national construction industry organization that provides key labour and market data for our sector, our “Industry faces the added challenge of replacing an aging labour force with the expected retirement of more than 41,000 workers, or 22% of the current labour force, over the next decade”. Further, “accounting for retirements and expansion demand, industry will need to recruit close to 59,650 workers over the coming decade”. Given the current tempo of construction, we are already experiencing significant challenges with meeting our skilled workforce demand. This is consistent with similar reports from WorkBC.    From an industry point of view, to address our future needs, we must pique the interest of our youth as soon as possible. We view our middle school-aged children as key to growing the future skilled workforce that our sector will desperately need. With that in mind, we cannot think that taking away resources and proper learning environments such as shop classes will help this cause. A properly equipped shop class is of great benefit for all students particularly those who are, or may not be, academically minded but demonstrate a high aptitude for such skills or interests.

With no access to the woodshop, basic skills with fundamental tools will be absent for 575 students per year; thus limiting the possibility of students selecting trades in high school, further into post-secondary, or even directly into the trades. We must start presenting the skilled trades to young people earlier in their education journey and creating a system that allows them to excel at shop and their continual interest in the trades upon graduation.

In your own words,

“Investments in schools are investments in student success, and we are putting more resources into buses, classrooms and schools so that students can thrive,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “That’s why our government continues to deliver on our commitment to support school districts in upgrading and maintaining their schools to ensure students are learning in safe, healthy environments.” (MoE News Release, March 15, 2022)

If a new building is going to be built, build it right the first time. Include a properly equipped shop class, install the required ventilation and equipment, and meet the needs of students. This is a long-term investment that will pay itself off in spades.

Time is of the essence as I understand the period to review requirements is nearing an end at which time I expect it will be presented to your Ministry for final approval.  As such, I would be happy to discuss this matter with you further and assist in any way possible as you explore this issue.

I look forward to your response and further collaborating with you as we mutually seek to support our sector.

Regards,

Rory Kulmala
Chief Executive Officer

cc:

Honourable Harry Bains, BC Minister of Labour
Honourable Anne Kang, BC Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training
Ms. Deb Whitten, Superintendent, Greater Victoria School District 61
Mr. Chris Atchison, President, BC Construction Association

The following is an article from the Journal of Commerce. Published on May 18, 2022

Warren Frey

For Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) harm reduction co-ordinator Greg Hemminger, the mission behind addressing the industry’s substance use crisis through the association’s Tailgate Toolkit is personal.

“I have lived experience unfortunately, or fortunately. I think I’m better for having gone through it,” Hemminger said. “I’m five years clean and sober.”

He and VICA CEO Rory Kulmala recently spoke at the Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s Construction Leadership Forum on May 13.

Their session, entitled Tailgate Toolkit: Addressing the Substance Use Crisis detailed how construction can better deal with the tragic and ongoing substance use crisis throughout British Columbia, which disproportionately affects men aged 19 to 54 in the industry.

Hemminger explained to attendees he used harm reduction, saw a doctor regularly, used sanitized supplies and went through a complete rehab treatment. He also shared he was involved with a woman who also struggled with substance use who passed away three months into his rehabilitation.

“My fiancé was too scared of who she was sober, but unlike me she could hide it,” he said. “Harm reduction saved my life. If she’d practiced it, it would have saved hers.”

Hemminger explained he and Kulmala are trying to change the terminology used when people speak about substance use including moving away from the term “overdose.”

“I think people think (when that term is used) you have a death wish. They think copious amounts of drugs and an overindulgent lifestyle and that’s simply not the case. We’re dealing with a toxic drug supply and people are making small mistakes,” he said.

“These are recreational drug users, sometimes first-time drug users, and they’re getting one drug or think they’re getting that drug and they’re getting fentanyl and they’re dying. No one should die for a mistake, whether they’re young, old or in-between. The goalposts have moved so we need to approach this from a different perspective.”

“We spend a lot of time on harm reduction on the jobsite, PPE, fall protection. That’s all great when you’re on the site, but 69 per cent of the people who die are dying alone, in their own homes,” Kulmala said.

“We spend so much time making sure people go home safe. Now we want them to come back safe. Your problem has just started if they don’t come back the next day.”

VICA’s Tailgate Toolkit project, in partnership with other B.C. construction associations, aims to formalize these efforts through a series of components including toolbox talks to reduce stigma, supervisor training, regional resources in both print and digital form and an online forum exclusive to construction workers called “Hammer Time.”  

“The Tailgate Toolkit is a project we initiated a year ago to introduce our workers and our sector to the overdose crisis, which we’d rather call a toxic drug supply, and how it’s affecting our workers. It’s a way to introduce this issue to our workers, reduce stigma and try to help workers find the resources they need ultimately for recovery and better health,” Kulmala said.

Outdated attitudes about masculinity in the industry add to the problem, Hemminger explained.

“As men, we are graded on how little we complain. We celebrate toughness and not talking out our fears or vulnerabilities. We need to change those attitudes because people are dying alone. They’re suffering in silence,” he said.

“They think there’s going to be punitive measures against them if they say, ‘Hey, I’m not doing too well. I’m struggling and now I’m dependent upon a pain medication,’” Hemminger added. “We need to change the attitudes and start a discourse between employer and employee. We need to normalize this, realize it’s a human and societal problem and we’re all at risk.”

To read this article on the Journal of Commerce’s website, click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Victoria, BC (May 5, 2022) – The Vancouver Island Construction Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 3^rd Annual VICA Awards, which recognize the work its members do to build and regenerate our local communities: the universities, hospitals, historic sites, airports, and condominiums.

“In what has been a turbulent past two years, I am proud of the resilience and dedication that VICA Members have displayed,” says Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA). “Our VICA Awards recognize their efforts, showcasing the best work being done on Vancouver Island. The construction industry continues to be one of the largest economic drivers on the island, we could not be more pleased to celebrate the great work our members are doing throughout our communities”.

The 3rd Annual VICA Awards were presented as a pre-recorded online broadcast, in-lieu of a live event and featured over 50 submissions and 15 category winners.

“With everything the construction industry has endured over these past 2 years I’m extremely proud of VICA’s membership, who express the best of the construction industry on Vancouver Island”, says VICA Board Chair, Chris Lyons of Omicron Construction. “We’ve endured a worldwide pandemic, extreme weather events, and global unrest, that have created significant challenges for the world, as well as our industry. Through all of this, while many sectors ground to a halt, we kept the construction industry moving forward — and we should celebrate these achievements”.

The 2022 VICA Awards saw an equal representation of projects across Vancouver Island, with winning projects from Port Hardy down to Victoria. This year’s panel of judges consisted of industry veterans, Katy Fairley (Fairley Strategies), Mark Taylor (Mark Taylor Construction Advisory Services), and Barclay Ellis (Trades Labour Corporation Victoria).

MEDIA INQUIRIES & INTERVIEW REQUESTS

Owen O’Rourke, Manager, Marketing & Communications

Vancouver Island Construction Association

250.800.1722| owen@vicabc.ca

A recording of the broadcast is now available on VICA’s website, www.vicabc.ca/awards

For high-resolution photos and project descriptions, please contact Owen at owen@vicabc.ca

VICA MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD

MKM Projects Ltd. (1 – 20 Employees)

Allterra Construction Ltd. (21 – 50 Employees)

Island West Coast Developments Ltd (51+ Employees)

The VICA Member of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a company in the construction industry. The nominated companies have made a significant contribution to VICA through years of continuous membership, involvement in various VICA committees, and/or involvement in VICA programs and events.

PRIME CONTRACTOR – OVER $20 MILLION AWARD

Knappett Projects Inc. | CRD 200 RSCL: Pump Stations, Bridge Crossings and Valve Chambers

PRIME CONTRACTOR– $10 – $20 MILLION AWARD

Kinetic Construction Ltd. | Port Hardy Airport Expansion

PRIME CONTRACTOR– $5 – $10 MILLION AWARD

Island West Coast Development (IWCD) | Sooke Library Branch New Build

PRIME CONTRACTOR– UNDER $5 MILLION

MKM Projects Ltd. | Cumberland Fire Department

SUBCONTRACTOR – OVER $5 MILLION

Banyan Group of Companies | Victoria Customs House (Concrete Formwork)

SUBCONTRACTOR – UNDER $2 MILLION

Houle Electric | Nanaimo Airport Terminal Expansion

OUTSTANDING WOMAN IN CONSTRUCTION AWARD

Leslie Myers, Number Ten Architectural Group

The 2022 Woman in Construction of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution or positive impact to the construction industry. This award is presented to a member who is an ambassador for women in construction and has made contributions to the VICA and/or the community through volunteer work or business accomplishments.

U40 PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD

AJ Winters, Wilson M Beck Insurance Services (Victoria)

The 2022 U40 Person of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated the potential for leadership and is committed to the advancement of the construction industry. This award is presented to a member that has made a significant impact or contribution to the workplace and/or a project; to VICA directly and/or VICA’s U40/YBN network; and to the community through volunteer work and/or business accomplishments.

EDUCATION LEADERSHIP AWARD

Sidney Reist, EllisDon Corp.

The 2022 Education Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has volunteered a considerable amount of time in the role of advancement of education for the betterment of the construction industry.

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR

Mazzei Electric

The Employer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a VICA Member company within the construction industry that has demonstrated sustainable compensation and finances, employee retention, and personal/professional development, while providing a safe and healthy workplace environment.

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR (NEW)

Sean Wallace, Knappett Projects Inc.

The Employee of the Year Award recognizes an employee who has made a significant contribution and/or positive impact to the company they work for. Nominees should have outstanding performance, superior dedication, and positive attitude on the job and be a leader in their respective company who has demonstrated a commitment to improving our industry.

SAFETY AWARDS

• Durwest Construction Management
• Houle Electric Ltd
• Island West Coast Development (IWCD)
• Knappett Projects Inc.
• Lewis Sheet Metal
• Mazzei Electric Ltd.
• PREP Energy Limited

The Safety Award is designed to honour those contractors who have maintained a superior safety record during the year. Awards are based on a contractor’s claims experience record with the Workers’ Compensation Board. 

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This briefing was provided by VICA Member Roper Greyell LLP. For more information or questions regarding this briefing please visit their website at www.ropergreyell.com

Effective January 1, 2022, the BC government added employer-paid sick leave under BC’s Employment Standards Act (“ESA”). Previous RG updates have covered this topic, please see our articles on November 25, 2021, and January 26, 2022.

The BC government announced on Monday, March 28, 2022, that it would introduce further amendments to the ESA paid sick leave. Bill 19 introduces three changes:

• ESA paid sick leave is removed from the “meet or exceeds” table in section 3 of the ESA, meaning unionized employers can no longer avoid the strict application of the ESA paid sick leave, regardless of their collective agreement provisions. Unionized employers will be required to provide the ESA paid sick leave or top-up any existing collective agreement provisions to the ESA paid sick leave entitlements.
• ESA paid sick leave is removed as an exception from section 3(6), meaning that union employees will now have to proceed by way of grievance/arbitration for any ESA paid sick leave dispute, and not through the Employment Standards Branch complaint process.
• Under section 49.1, “employment year” is replaced by “calendar year” thus simplifying the calculation for an employee’s entitlement to sick days. This means that employers will no longer need to track each individual’s employment anniversary date for the purposes of paid sick days. Instead, the 5 paid sick days entitlement will apply for the calendar year. If an employee has already received 5 paid sick days in 2022, this change does not entitle them to additional paid sick days in 2022. There may be employees who, due to the old employment year calculation, may have already received more than 5 days of paid sick leave this year. There is no clear mechanism to seek repayment in this scenario.

The amendments will be effective upon Royal Assent and are not retroactive.  The status of Bill 19’s Royal Assent can be tracked here.

Please contact our office if you have questions.

Michael R. Kilgallin is a partner at Roper Greyell LLP, where he provides advice to employers on employment, labour relations and human rights issues in the workplace.  He can be reached at mkilgallin@ropergreyell.com.

Janna Crown is a lawyer at Roper Greyell LLP, practicing in all areas of workplace law, including human rights, labour law, and WorkSafeBC matters.  She can be reached at jcrown@ropergreyell.com.  For more information about Michael, Janna, and the rest of the Roper Greyell team, please visit www.ropergreyell.com.

While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in this article, you are urged to seek specific advice on matters of concern and not to rely solely on what is contained herein.  The article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.