June 5, 2025 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: Close call Core Activity: Avalanche control Location: Interior B.C. Date of Incident: 2025-May ID Number: 2025160850019 During avalanche control operations involving the…
Read MoreBCCWITT News and Events – May Newsletter
On behalf of BC Centre for Women in the Trades Construction Month 2025 Recap BCCWITT was a gold sponsor of BCCA’s Construction Month campaign in April. The cornerstone of our celebration was a fantastic event at BCIT on April 26. Our “Journey to Success for Women Apprentices” event brought together more than 50 women apprentices…
Read MoreBill fast-tracking infrastructure projects passes as Speaker Raj Chouhan breaks tie
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | May 29, 2025 VANCOUVER — A controversial bill in British Columbia responding to American tariffs has passed with Speaker Raj Chouhan casting the deciding vote Wednesday evening. Bill 15 fast-tracks public and private infrastructure projects, and Chouhan’s vote means that the bill has passed third and final reading…
Read MoreConstruction associations chime in on historic throne speech
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | May 28, 2025 VAUGHAN, ONT. — It was a monumental occasion to have King Charles read out the speech from the throne in Ottawa on May 27, but initially the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) was concerned there were some missed opportunities in the text. The association issued a press…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC 2024 Annual Report and 2025-27 Service Plan
Earlier this month, Minister Whiteside tabled WorkSafeBC’s 2024 Annual Report and 2025-27 Service Plan. This annual report is independently audited each year and can be found here. To review the auditor’s report, see pages 11–13. The consolidated financial statements and associated audit and actuary reports may be found starting on page 98.
Save the date – WorkSafeBC Rate Information Sessions
Save the Date!You are invited to attend one of WorkSafeBC’s rate information sessions Join other B.C. employers in learning about WorkSafeBC’s preliminary assessment rates for 2026, and how you can reduce your premiums through a safer and healthier workplace. Please mark these dates in your calendar to ensure that you don’t miss out on these…
Read MorePilot Project in Chilliwack Promotes Skilled Trades to Elementary Students
Honour the Work initiative launched by BC Construction Association and BC Road Builders. VICTORIA, BC (May 6, 2025) – The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA), in collaboration with the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association, is proud to announce the launch of the pilot phase of the Honour the Work initiative this May. This…
Read MoreRed tape cuts must apply to all projects, not just government favourites: ICBA
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | May 5, 2025 SURREY. B.C. — B.C.’s recently tabled Infrastructure Projects Act is getting some pushback from the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA), which is expressing concern that while the legislation acknowledges the problem of permitting delays, it does not go nearly far enough. “The irony is…
Read MoreIndustry Perspectives Op-Ed: Broadening our view of safety systems in the construction sector
Journal of Commerce | Todd McDonald | May 5, 2025 As we mark Construction Safety Week 2025, it’s a time to reflect not just on the progress we’ve made on workplace safety — but also on where we need to go. The construction sector continues to evolve and so too must our approaches to health and…
Read MoreMental Health Week 2025: Looking beyond the surface
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | May 5, 2025 TORONTO — The Canadian Mental Health Association says living with a mental health or substance use challenge is already hard but masking it can be even harder. It’s no secret in the construction industry masking is commonplace, with many too afraid to speak up for…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
April 24, 2025 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: Laceration Core Activity: Excavation, or private landfill or transfer station operation Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2025-Apr ID Number: 2025210680001 A…
Read MoreBC Construction Association Announces Launch of Construction Education Fund
The Past Chair Legacy Fund has been designed to celebrate the construction industry and support its development. VICTORIA, BC (April 28, 2025) – As the eighth annual Construction and Skilled Trades Month winds to a close, the BC Construction Association (BCCA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Past Chair Legacy Fund, a new…
Read MoreWorker dead after ‘possible explosion,’ fire at natural gas plant in northern B.C.
CTV News | By Ian Holliday | April 15, 2025 One contractor is dead and another is injured after a fire at a natural gas plant north of Fort St. John, B.C. The fire broke out Monday evening around 6 p.m., when workers “struck a pipe” at the Tourmaline Gundy c-60 gas plant, according to a statement…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC urges construction employers to prevent falls from heights
WorkSafeBC | April 16, 2025 More than 1,000 construction workers were injured in falls from elevation in 2024. Translation available in: 简体中文 | 繁體中文 | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ With the arrival of spring and the increase in outdoor construction, WorkSafeBC is reminding employers and workers that falls from heights continue to be a leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities. From 2020…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC urges fall protection for construction workers
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | April 17, 2025 RICHMOND, B.C. – WorkSafeBC is urging builders to take steps to prevent workers from falling on construction sites after more than 1,000 injuries were reported in the province last year. It says it also issued more than $1 million in fines for 152 administrative penalties…
Read MoreCCOHS urges industry to commemorate National Day of Mourning and commit to safety
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | April 15, 2025 HAMILTON, ONT. — In 2023, the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) recorded 1,057 workplace fatalities in the country. Among these deaths were 29 young workers aged 15 to 24. There were also 274,022 accepted claims for lost time due to a work-related…
Read MoreMark your Calendars – April 28th is the Day of Mourning
The Day of Mourning is Monday, April 28. Every year, on April 28, workers, families, employers, and others come together at events held around the province to remember those who have lost their lives on the job, and to renew our commitment to creating safer workplaces. The Vancouver Day of Mourning ceremony will be taking…
Read MoreChanges to policy on Duration of Benefits (Retirement Age)
On behalf of WorkSafeBC –> Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is releasing a discussion paper concerning changes made to policy on duration of benefits (retirement age). To reflect legislative amendments to the Workers Compensation Act, policy changes related to retirement age determinations were effective on January 1, 2021. After reviewing the implementation of the initial changes,…
Read More‘There are no good excuses,’ BC 1 Call’s Grant reiterates during Safe Digging Month in B.C.
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | April 10, 2025 VANCOUVER — April is Safe Digging Month in B.C. and as such BC 1 Call is reiterating to the digging community, along with the owners of underground infrastructure, the importance of clicking or calling before they dig. “Who hasn’t taken safety for granted? We’ve all stood too high on…
Read MoreBCCWITT News and Events – April Newsletter
Trades Training and Employment with BCCWITT Are you an unemployed or underemployed woman in BC? Are you interested in a well-paying, in-demand career in a construction, maintenance, or industrial skilled trade? Support is available from BCCWITT through our Trades Training and Employment Program. Get connected to our team of career development professionals who can help you get…
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