Construction Challenges Following UBCM in Victoria
The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention has just wrapped up in Victoria, bringing local governments together to debate and deliberate on the issues that matter most to our communities. While the headlines capture formal resolutions, the real conversations should also focus on the practical challenges facing construction, because our ability to build directly impacts whether those resolutions become reality.
UBCM provides an opportunity to discuss housing, health care, and infrastructure, but also the deeper issues of labour, innovation, economic uncertainty, and political decision-making. These are the factors that determine whether projects succeed or stall, and they deserve to be at the centre of the dialogue.
Construction on Vancouver Island is increasingly complex. Resilience is not only about responding to climate events, heat domes, wildfire smoke, floods, and storms, but also about delivering under pressure: rising costs, limited labour, and tight timelines. Innovation and productivity are essential. Prefabrication, modular methods, digital permitting, and streamlined project management aren’t “nice to haves”; they’re critical for building more with fewer resources. Even small efficiency gains can mean hundreds of homes delivered sooner or critical hospital upgrades completed faster.
Meaningful Indigenous engagement is another cornerstone of resilient communities. Across Vancouver Island, First Nations are key partners in land use planning, housing, and infrastructure. Early engagement, shared benefits, and respect for Indigenous rights strengthen relationships and unlock opportunities for training, employment, and co-development.
Labour remains the heart of construction. Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and heavy equipment operators are essential, but retirements, fewer new entrants, and training gaps are slowing projects. Industry invests in apprenticeships and upskilling, but collective effort is required, including funding for schools and training programs, as well as more responsive immigration pathways for skilled trades.
Economic pressures, tariffs, rising interest rates, and supply chain volatility further complicate project delivery. Developers defer projects, municipalities scale back upgrades, and quality can be compromised to meet budgets. Local governments can help by building escalation allowances into budgets, advocating for fair trade policies, and supporting prompt payment to keep contractors viable.
Political uncertainty adds another challenge. Ambitious housing and infrastructure goals are often slowed by local resistance or cumbersome processes. From an industry perspective, timely and consistent decisions are essential. Delays add costs, strain budgets, and extend project schedules, undermining the very outcomes communities are seeking.
Finally, housing and health care crises are intertwined through construction. Affordable housing is essential for recruiting and retaining health care professionals, while building hospitals, care homes, and infrastructure depends on skilled contractors. Labour shortages, economic pressures, procurement challenges, and the need for innovation all converge at the construction site.
UBCM is a week of big conversations, but practical solutions are critical. Construction and the Vancouver Island Construction Association are ready to be part of the solution. With innovation, investment in people, realistic planning, and political courage, we can deliver safe, affordable, and resilient communities where people can live, work, and thrive.