WorkSafeBC | January 20, 2026 Last year, we shared that WorkSafeBC improved our online injury reporting form to make it easier for workers to report injuries online — anytime, anywhere. This is part of our commitment to offer faster, more responsive, and convenient service. The improved online injury reporting form is for workers with a physical injury…
Read MoreBCCWITT Launches WITT Wednesdays with SHARP Partnership
On behalf of BCCWITT | January 2026 Our BCCWITT team is excited to announce the kickoff of WITT Wednesdays – a new initiative designed to help connect and build up our community by offering both a range of learning and training options, and a (soon-to-come) return to virtual meetups. Plus, you can expect to see…
Read MoreBell Let’s Talk 2026: Taking a moment for a different kind of ‘toolbox talk’
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | January 21, 2026 TORONTO – Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day, Canada’s national day for conversations about mental health awareness. This year’s theme is taking a moment for mental health. Whether it’s moment for yourself, a moment for a friend or a moment for a co-worker, it all matters. While it’s no secret the construction industry hasn’t always been focused on…
Read MoreHarmonizing trades safety training will only work if ‘partisanship gets out of the way’
Journal of Commerce | Don Procter | January 15, 2026 Harmonizing safety training certifications in construction across Canada is not just about keeping projects rolling on time and on budget, but also to ensure workers “are trained to the highest standards and best practices available.” So says Sean Strickland, executive director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions…
Read MorePublic consultation open for Manitoba’s Workers Compensation Act review
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | January 15, 2026 WINNIPEG — The Workers Compensation Act (the Act) Legislative Review Committee 2025-2026 (LRC) has opened the public consultation period for its review process. The LRC, appointed by the provincial government, is tasked with reviewing the act to make sure it continues to meet the needs…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC announces average base premium rate is unchanged in 2026
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | January 7, 2026 RICHMOND, B.C. — B.C. employers will see no change to the average base premium rate from WorkSafeBC this year. According to a release, this is the ninth consecutive year the organization has set the average base rate at $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll. Annual…
Read MoreJ. Cote & Son Excavating found guilty in criminal negligence case
Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | December 24, 2025 A BC Supreme Court (BCSC) ruling has found J. Cote & Son Excavating Ltd. guilty of two counts of criminal negligence in a 13-year-old workplace incident that resulted in the trench death of pipelayer Jeffrey Caron, 28, and severe injury to fellow employee Thomas Richer when…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC | December 29, 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: Fracture Core Activity: Drywalling or acoustic board installation / Industrial, commercial, institutional or highrise residential contracting or…
Read MoreWorker falls from Steveston building on Monday morning
Richmond News | Valerie Leung | Dec 30, 2025 9:50 AM RFR said WorkSafeBC is investigating the incident after one person was taken to the hospital in serious condition. A construction worker was sent to hospital after falling more than eight metres at a Steveston building on Monday morning. Richmond Fire-Rescue and BC Emergency Health Services were…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC’s Policy, Regulation and Research Department Announcement
The Policy, Regulation and Research Department (PRRD) would like to thank you all for your submissions on the mental disorders policy review. Please click here for the submissions received by the PRRD. The consultation feedback informed changes to the policy revisions, which were presented to the Board of Directors for decision. Please click here for a summary of key…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC updates penalties database to include $1.3 million in penalties for crane-related safety violations
WorkSafeBC | Published on: December 12, 2025 $627,000 in penalties are related to the 2024 death of Yuridia Flores WorkSafeBC has updated its penalties database to include three administrative penalties totalling $1.3 million for health and safety violations in a series of crane-related incidents in 2024 and 2025. The penalties include: WorkSafeBC uses a multi-faceted…
Read MoreBurnaby company found guilty of criminal negligence for trench collapse death
Vancouver Sun | Susan Lazaruk | Published Dec 12, 2025 Pipelayer Jeff Caron was killed when he was pinned by collapsed retaining wall An excavating company in charge of a Burnaby work site where a pipelayer was killed when a retaining wall collapsed has been found guilty of criminal negligence. Three seniors officers of J….
Read MoreContractors Now Scrambling for Work, Not Workers:ICBA 2026 Construction Survey Warns of Sharp Slowdown
ICBA Press Release | December 11, 2025 SURREY – B.C.’s construction market has turned a dangerous corner, with contractors now more worried about finding work than finding workers, according to the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association’s (ICBA) 2026 Construction Survey of its members. Expectations for 2026 have softened markedly: while 40% of contractors expect more work, one in five…
Read MoreEby Must Recall the Legislature and Repeal DRIPA
ICBA Press Release | December 8, 2025 SURREY – The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA), Canada’s largest construction association, is calling on Premier David Eby to immediately recall the B.C. Legislature, repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and repeal section 8.1 of the Interpretation Act, after the B.C. Court of Appeal ruled that…
Read MoreBuildStrong App – Call to Action!
On behalf of Buildstrong by CIRP BuildStrong by CIRP ( Formerly the Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan ) has a free app that is available for all in construction regardless of their union affiliation. Here is link to a video describing the BuildStrong App. The app provides construction workers with on-demand access to mental health and substance use support,…
Read MoreManitoba enforcing stronger rules to protect workers from asbestos exposure
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | December 8, 2025 WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is introducing stronger rules to protect workers from asbestos. Commonly found in older building materials, asbestos becomes hazardous when it is disturbed and released into the air. Manitoba’s current regulations set basic requirements for training, inventories and safety measures, a…
Read MoreA long time coming: B.C. prompt payment becomes law
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | December 5, 2025 VANCOUVER – Several construction industry associations are breathing a sigh of relief after years of advocacy work with news prompt payment legislation received Royal Assent this week and is now law. The British Columbia Construction Association has broken down what Bill 20, the Construction Payment Act,…
Read MoreIndustry speaks on West Coast pipeline pact: B.C. ‘needs to be part of Team Canada’
Journal of Commerce | Grant Cameron | December 2, 2025 Contractors, unions and open shop construction associations in B.C. and Alberta are solidly behind a deal that opens the door for more pipelines to be built to transport oil to the West Coast. While environmental groups and First Nations argue the impacts of a new oilsands…
Read MoreICBA – Now is the Time for BC to Support Canada’s Energy Future
November 27, 2025 SURREY – The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) is welcoming the new Ottawa–Alberta Memorandum of Understanding on energy, infrastructure, pipelines, rail, power generation, and ports that will support energy and natural resource development in Western Canada – and urges Premier David Eby to be a constructive partner in making these important nation-building…
Read MoreCSA/ASC Z1003 Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace Prevention, Promotion, and Guidance (New Edition)
A note from The Employer’s Forum –> The CSA/ASC Z1003 Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace Prevention, Promotion, and Guidance (New Edition) is currently open for public review. Provide your feedback by registering here. It takes 2 minutes. Then, click here. Then, click on the item circled: And enter your comments in the space. Not sure what to say?…
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