Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | January 18, 2023 SURREY, B.C. — Construction companies are anticipating labour shortages, historic wage increases and red tape frustration in 2023, according to a recent survey from the British Columbia Independent Contractors and Businesses Association. “The shortage of people is intensifying as Canada continues to go over a demographic…

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Journal of Commerce | Evan Saunders | January 23, 2023 Construction industry leaders are welcoming and wary of the Government of British Columbia’s attempt to simplify the housing permit approval process. On Jan. 16, B.C. announced the new Permitting Strategy for Housing, intended to streamline homebuilding and reduce backlog by creating a “one-stop-shop” window for all…

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Journal of Commerce | Don Wall  | January 19, 2023 EllisDon’s new Fit Your Frame campaign, launched to provide construction safety vests to women and gender-nonconforming workers, is about much more than simply providing PPE that fits properly. The initiative, led by the firm’s 2gether inclusive diversity leadership group, involved seeking a supplier that was philosophically…

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Published on: January 01, 2023 Policies — Workers Compensation Act The following policies were updated to reflect CPI adjustments, effective January 1, 2023: P2-94-1 – OHS CitationsP2-95-4 – Non-Exclusive Ways to Impose Financial PenaltiesP2-95-5 – OHS Penalty AmountsP5-251-1 – Claims Costs Levies

Subject: WorkSafeBC is seeking participants for Young Worker Dialogue Session As you may know, WorkSafeBC regularly engages with young workers, and the employers who hire them, to ensure these workers’ voices are heard when it comes to workplace health and safety. WorkSafeBC seeks feedback from young workers in order to better understand their attitudes and…

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Journal of Commerce | Evan Saunders | December 28, 2022 Whether it was the growing deficit of workers, far-reaching supply chain difficulties or recovery from disaster and disease, 2022 was one for the books. And though looking at the difficulties we face can help us prepare for the future, it is equally important to focus on…

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Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | January 10, 2023 VICTORIA — The Province of British Columbia saw substantial job growth throughout 2022, with Statistics Canada reporting 62,900 jobs added. “As British Columbians navigated new global challenges throughout 2022, last year’s job numbers continue to demonstrate that we’re stronger when we work together to tackle big…

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Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | January 11, 2023 Five safety violations have been laid against Finning International Inc. nearly two years after a yard incident at Finning Canada’s West Edmonton facility resulted in the death of an employee and the injury of a second. The safety violations, which have yet to be heard in…

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BCCWITT has some upcoming exciting opportunities that we want to share with you! We are currently recruiting entry level Security Systems Technician, and Mechanical Insulation candidates. We are also offering Advocacy 101 training, and a FREE virtual 90-minute Be More Than a Bystander webinar. Below you will find information about the programs, as well as links to our website and application forms. Please share…

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Journal of Commerce | Shannon Moneo | January 16, 2023 In 2022, Canada welcomed almost 432,000 immigrants, a new record. Another 1.45 million are expected over the next three years. Finding a job, a home and learning either English or French are priorities for many of them. A proportion will be drawn to the construction industry,…

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Journal of Commerce | Evan Saunders | January 16, 2023 Workers’ compensation for chronic pain in British Columbia is in need of an update is it falls further and further behind modern science, says BC Building Trades Workers’ Advocate Merrill O’Donnell. WorkSafeBC’s “approach to chronic pain is inconsistent with the scientific evidence that has been adopted…

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Journal of Commerce | Chris Gardner | December 21, 2022 It’s a well-worn cliché, because it’s sound advice: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Yet the B.C. government, pushed by the BC Federation of Labour, seems determined to “fix” WorkSafeBC without any meaningful consultation with the very stakeholders who provide all the funding for the…

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Journal of Commerce | Peter Caulfield | December 20, 2022 Mike McKenna, executive director of the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA), says the organization will launch its Asbestos Control Training program (ACT) in spring 2023. “ACT is a suite of courses on the D2L [Desire to Learn] online learning platform that is designed to sensitize people…

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Global News | By Elizabeth McSheffrey & Grace Ke  | December 7, 2022 Less than a year after eligible workers in B.C. became entitled to five days of employer-paid sick leave per year, the B.C. Federation of Labour is urging the provincial government to triple the standard. The call for 15 days comes after the organization representing more than 50 unions…

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Journal of Commerce | Evan Saunders | December 7, 2022 The return of skilled trades certification to British Columbia after being put on the chopping block nearly two decades ago has been a cause of celebration and concern for construction industry leaders. “This has been a long time coming. The elimination of skilled trades certification in…

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Journal of Commerce | Angela Gismondi | November 29, 2022 Owners and contractors were given tips on navigating risks associated with a project site, such as early occupancy, neighbouring projects and health and safety during a recent webinar.  Managing Risks Associated with a Project Site was hosted by Weirfoulds LLP. It addressed issues related to project…

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As you may know, we have been recruiting for a new head of Prevention Services, a role that is critical to our continued success in engaging workers and employers to promote workplace health and safety. I am pleased to announce that Todd McDonald will be taking on this role as of December 12. Todd has…

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SkilledTradesBC Announcement Today we celebrate an exciting day as we transition to our new name SkilledTradesBC. Our new name will make it easier for people across the province to understand who we are and what we do. While our role in advancing B.C.’s skilled trades system hasn’t changed, it has expanded. This includes a larger…

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At the October 26, 2022 WorkSafeBC Board of Directors meeting, the following items were approved:  Other Matters (alcoholism) The Board of Directors approved policy changes to Item C4-32.00, Other Matters, of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual (RS&CM), Volume II to replace outdated terminology referring to the worker as an “alcoholic” and language which describes the pattern of…

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Journal of Commerce | Evan Saunders | November 14, 2022 Dr. David Baspaly, CEO of the Council of Construction Associations in B.C., says the industry was not consulted on changes to workers’ compensation put forth by the province. “We’re pretty angry that the construction sector as a whole didn’t get an opportunity to consult, didn’t get…

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