Journal of Commerce | Chris Gardner | March 30, 2020 Across the country, provincial governments are closing down major pieces of our economy, protecting the public from the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But one industry that has been tapped to continue is construction.   On March 26, the B.C. Government declared construction an essential service, deeming our industry a “daily…

Read More

Journal of Commerce | Alex Carrick | March 30, 2020 There are currently two crises underway simultaneously. The advance of the novel coronavirus is taking a terrible toll in terms of physical and emotional well-being. At the same time, job losses resulting from ‘social distancing’ are sending the economy into a tailspin. To fight on both…

Read More

COCA has set up a member Help Desk for Covid-19 WorkSafeBC-related questions and concerns in an effort to expedite and, where possible, provide interim answers to your questions.  Please forward your questions in our template to covidhelpdesk@cocabc.ca.   We will do our best to get back to you quickly. A collection of the questions and responses is included…

Read More

DCN-JOC News Services | March 26, 2020 ANCOUVER – WorkSafeBC has released health and safety information for the construction industry regarding COVID-19, including the provincial health officer’s directions and prime contractor responsibilities. “WorkSafeBC is aware of the important concerns raised by the construction industry,” reads a statement from the organization. “We are working with workers, employers,…

Read More

Journal of Commerce | Angela Gismondi | March 27, 2020 he Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is implementing a number of measures to help its members, the industry and the government during the COVID-19 pandemic including releasing its first version of the COVID-19 Standardized Protocols for All Canadian Construction Sites, which it encourages all construction firms to implement.  “While we have asked the federal government to keep…

Read More

Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | March 27, 2020 he Government of British Columbia has deemed construction an essential service during the COVID-19 outbreak, but one Chilliwack, B.C. company is laying down its tools. Algra Brothers Developments announced recently it is shutting down its Five Corners project in the city’s downtown along with other projects….

Read More

Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | March 27, 2020 The BC Building Trades Council is calling for WorkSafeBC to enforce construction safety regulations after putting out a public call for construction workers to share site sanitary conditions during the COVID-19 crisis.   Comments from workers included a lack of access to washroom facilities, running water, and soap or hand…

Read More

WorkSafeBC is postponing the payment deadline for Q1 2020, in light of the uncertainty and challenges many employers are facing during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. Employers who report and pay on a quarterly basis If your business reports payroll and makes payments on a quarterly basis, it may be to your advantage to report your…

Read More

BC Construction Safety Alliance –> COVID-19 FAQ’s link BC Construction Association –> New content will be added daily to the BCCA Construction Briefing COVID 19 webpage –> bookmark the page to stay up to date. ICBA — Check out ICBA’s coronavirus website for a summary of the most recent health, government and industry developments at  www.icba.ca/coronavirus. 

Journal of Commerce | John Bleasby | March 25, 2020 On March 16, Marty Walsh, Boston’s mayor, ordered the shutdown of construction in his city for at least two weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The only permitted construction activity will be emergency work at public facilities and repairs to utilities. In Toronto meanwhile, building permit…

Read More

Journal of Commerce | BCCSA | March 23, 2020 What you do in the next five minutes can have a significant effect on your health. In the age of COVID-19 our choices, both large and small, will determine our success in preventing viral infection and controlling the outbreak. “We have protocols in place regarding communicable diseases…

Read More

Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | March 23, 2020 VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC Construction Association (BCCA) says it is working on several fronts to advocate for the industry and keep members informed as the COVID-19 pandemic grows in severity. One pressing issue is force majeure contract terms which the association is calling on Ottawa…

Read More

DCN-JOC News Services | March 23, 2020 The province of B.C. has laid out guidelines for construction sites to stay open during the COVID-19 crisis after industry leaders asked for clarity from the provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry about her order prohibiting mass gatherings. Recently, Henry issued an order under the Public Health Act prohibiting…

Read More

Vancouver Sun | Derrick Penner | March 25, 2020 WorkSafeBC is sending inspectors to construction sites after getting complaints that social distancing is not happening on some job sites. Read the article.

If you work in BC’s construction industry, please tell BCCA what you’re experiencing as a result of the growing Coronavirus pandemic. BCCA and the Regional Construction Associations can represent and support your business more effectively if you proactively communicate the impacts you’re experiencing. Click here for more resources.

Many of you have reached out with specific requests for resources to assist in this tumultuous time.  The BCCSA team has been working non-stop over the past few days to curate information, collate others and when necessary lean on their hygienist resources to create what is missing.  Please follow this link to these resources.  They are currently…

Read More

The Provincial Government has just released a new guidance to construction sites during COVID-19.  All members in the construction industry must follow these requirements to ensure the utmost protection of our workers, their families and our communities. All employers and employees must read and abide by these rules because it is only through collective efforts…

Read More

DCN-JOC News Services | March 19, 2020 VANCOUVER — The B.C. business community has announced the creation of the COVID-19 Cabinet to address the significant impacts on our economy in these unprecedented times. The cabinet includes representatives from the construction community like the Independent Businesses and Contractors Association (ICBA), BC Construction Association (BCCA), BC Road Builders…

Read More

DCN-JOC News Services | March 19, 2020 VICTORIA, B.C. — The province has confirmed that its order prohibiting mass gatherings of 50 people or more does not apply to construction sites. The order was given by provincial health officer Bonnie Henry to slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease. The Vancouver Regional Construction Association announced it…

Read More

DCN-JOC News Services | March 19, 2020 VANCOUVER — BC Hydro has announced it is modifying its work activities on the Site C project near Fort St. John in response to the increasing escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic. “BC Hydro’s top priority is the health and safety of its employees, contractors and the public,” read a…

Read More