Vancouver Sun | Rob Shaw | Jul 17, 2020  VICTORIA — B.C.’s NDP government is boosting benefits for injured workers, but stopping short of fully implementing recommendations from an expert review that would have cost the workers’ compensation system hundreds of millions of dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic. Labour Minister Harry Bains introduced legislation this…

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July 13, 2020 Construction incident summaries are based on information obtained as soon as possible after the incidents: they are preliminary and subject to change. Details have been edited to protect workers’ privacy. See additional summaries online. Injury Type: Injury to head Core Activity: House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date…

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Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | July 17, 2020 Alberta Premier Jason Kenney assured the construction industry he will do everything in his power to bring investment to the province as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.  “It is hard to overstate the challenges we are facing, but nevertheless, I am honestly optimistic about the…

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Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | July 17, 2020 VANCOUVER — A coalition of British Columbia construction associations is calling out the province’s transportation and infrastructure minister as they take their legal challenge of the NDP government’s community benefits agreement (CBA) policy to the B.C. Court of Appeal. The coalition is asking the court…

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Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | July 17, 2020 VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier John Horgan says he’s proud that a national paid sick leave program has been announced as part of a $19 billion federal funding plan to support provinces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Horgan has been pushing for a national program to…

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Workers’ compensation system reports Consultation Report on Potential Amendments to British Columbia’s Workers Compensation Act – Jeff Parr (PDF) WorkSafeBC and Government Action Review: Crossing the Rubicon – Lisa Jean Helps (PDF) Balance. Stability. Improvement: Options for the Accident Fund – Terry Bogyo for WorkSafeBC (PDF) A Worker-Centred Approach to Workers’ Compensation Policy – Paul Petrie for WorkSafeBC

BC Government News Release | Victoria | July 14, 2020 Changes to the Workers Compensation Act will provide better support to injured workers and their families and enhance WorkSafeBC’s ability to investigate workplace incidents, while keeping premiums low. “For too many years, we have heard from injured workers in B.C. that the system lacks fairness…

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Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | July 15, 2020 VICTORIA — Workers’ compensation benefits in B.C. would be based on a higher maximum salary amount under legislation introduced Tuesday (July 14) by the provincial government. Amendments to the Workers Compensation Act would increase the maximum insurable earnings to $100,000 from $87,100. The government says…

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Vancouver Sun | Scott Brown | Jul 15, 2020  A worker was crushed to death during an excavation near a construction site in Burnaby on Tuesday. Vancouver development company Ledingham McAllister confirmed the fatal accident occurred at its Cedar Creek construction project in the 7100-block of 14th Avenue. Read more.

For information only and not an endorsement – this information is shared to ensure members have the context and understanding of current issues that impact the Construction Industry. BC Building Trades Website July 14, 2020 Changes to the Workers Compensation Act introduced today by the BC NDP government put injured workers first for the first…

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For information only and not an endorsement – this information is shared to ensure members have the context and understanding of current issues that impact the Construction Industry. Surrey Board of Trade | Jul 14th, 2020 at 3:20 pm BC Minister of Labour Harry Bains presented legislative change to the Workers Compensation Act – Bill…

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For information only and not an endorsement – this information is shared to ensure members have the context and understanding of current issues that impact the Construction Industry. BC Fed Website | July 9, 2020 | Health, Safety, and Compensation (Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) — With workplace COVID-19 outbreaks fresh in the…

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Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | July 13, 2020 Progressive unions and trade unions are applauding proposed changes that are poised to transform the province’s labour laws. According to the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) Bill 32, the Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act, is long overdue. One of most significant changes is that…

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Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | July 10, 2020 A new project in B.C. aims to explore alternative options for improving historically low trades apprenticeship completion rates which experts believe could worsen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SkillSource, with support from the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada, is currently in the early…

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Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | July 9, 2020 EDMONTON — The Alberta government is proposing major changes to rules governing unions, including limits on where and how workers can picket during strikes or lockouts. Under a bill introduced July 7, pickets would not be allowed to interfere with anyone coming or going across…

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WorkSafeBC will be holding a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Because of the restrictions on public gatherings put in place by the provincial health officer during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will hold the public hearing virtually. The virtual public hearing will be streamed live on September 30, 2020, in two sessions….

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Alberta Premier Jason Kenney will kick off an ICBA virtual town hall on July 15th at 3:00 pm PST.  Premier Kenney will provide an overview of his government’s plans for renewing and revitalizing the Alberta economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as his perspective on the role the energy sector can play…

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Partnerships BC supports the public sector in meeting its infrastructure needs by providing leadership, expertise and consistency in the procurement of complex capital projects by utilizing private sector innovation, services and capital to deliver measurable benefits for taxpayers. Join us for an informative session with key members of the leadership team at Partnerships B.C. •…

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WorkSafeBC’s Policy, Regulation and Research Division is requesting feedback on proposed amendments to Part 8, Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment, section 8.11(1) – safety headgear, of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The consultation phase provides stakeholders an opportunity to share feedback prior to the proposed amendments being taken to public hearing. All stakeholder feedback is…

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With the recent launch of Phase 3 of the province’s Restart Plan, WorkSafeBC would like to update stakeholders on the guidance and support we’re providing to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in B.C. workplaces. The attached document outlines some of WorkSafeBC’s recent activities, including: The development of a COVID-19 Safety Plan app and new…

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