Introduced at our 2021 Annual General Meeting, the Vancouver Island Construction Association is proposing a significant renovation for its Victoria office.

Members have until December 16, 2021, to provide their feedback. Please forward all feedback, questions, or comments to VICA CEO Rory Kulmala at VICACEO@vicabc.ca.

To quickly summarize the project; the VICA Victoria Office was built in 1971 and aside from cosmetic alterations over the years, there have been no major renovations to the building. Currently, the building is requiring significant maintenance work (roof, doors, HVAC, etc) and we (VICA) believe it would be in the best interest of the Association to commit to a major renovation and extend the life of the building for another 20+ years.

For a copy of the presentation which includes renderings of the proposed renovation: click here.

New Board Members Elected at the 109^th Annual General Meeting

November 23, 2021 (Victoria, BC) – The Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) and its membership elected four industry leaders to its 2021-2022 Board of Directors at its Annual General Meeting on November 18, 2021. There were eleven nominees from across Vancouver Island.

By way of VICA’s online election platform, this year’s election saw record highs for both nominees and number of votes cast. Incumbents Paul Gray, Farmer Construction, and Barclay Ellis, Trades Labour Corporation Victoria, were re-elected to their positions on the board. In addition, we are pleased to welcome new board members Allison Greaves from Durwest Construction Management, and Jac-Lyn Mickelson from MGM Mechanical.

Further, the newly elected Board has elected to appoint two additional Industry Members Josh Fayerman, Milestone Equipment Contracting Inc., and Samer Akouri of AccessSMT Holdings Ltd., for a one-year term to ensure that the VICA membership is adequately represented across all sectors and regions of the Vancouver Island Association.

Chris Lyons of Omicron Construction has assumed the role of Chair of the Board from James Clapp of Wilson M Beck Insurance Services.

Outgoing Past Chair Roger Yager, Knappett Projects Inc., was recognized for 10 years of service on the VICA Board. During his tenure, Roger has provided both mentorship and leadership to fellow board members, as well as stewarding the Association through the first year of the COVID Pandemic. Additionally, Roger has represented our industry at both the regional and provincial level through his continued involvement with our partner association, the BC Construction Association. We thank Roger for his time on the board and wish him well with his future endeavours.


CEO & CHAIR QUOTES

“2022 is poised to be one of the busiest years for our Association in recent memory, and I look forward to working with our new Board of Directors on many of the initiatives VICA has planned. We are extremely pleased to expand the representation of women on our board as we welcome two new Directors, both of which bring years of industry experience as well as a unique prospective which will only prove to benefit the Association

•  Rory Kulmala, Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Island Construction Association

“The opportunity to represent one of the largest industries on the Island is exciting for me, and I eagerly anticipate working with our great group of industry leaders, continuing to provide excellent value for VICA Members. Further, our newly elected board is represented by diverse leaders with valuable industry experience which will afford our members success in the years to come. I would also like to extend my gratitude to outgoing Chair James Clapp for the exceptional work he did over the pandemic-laden 2020-21 fiscal year.”

• Chris Lyons, VICA Board Chair, Omicron Construction Ltd.
  
  

MEDIA & INTERVIEW INQUIRIES
Owen O’Rourke, Communications Specialist
Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA)
owen@vicabc.ca | 250-800-1722

ABOUT VICA
As the Vancouver Island Construction Association, we serve our construction community: the institutional, commercial, industrial, civil, and multi-family residential construction sectors on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and other coastal areas of British Columbia. VICA members come from all areas of our industry from owners, designers, and contractors to purchasers of construction services. With roots that date back to 1912, we are one of the oldest not-for-profit construction associations in Canada.

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 (L-R) Paul Gray, Farmer Construction; Barclay Ellis, Trades Labour Corp. (TLC) Victoria; Allison Greaves, Durwest Construction Management, Jac-Lyn Mickelson, MGM Mechanical

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University of Victoria. Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Project – Spring and Summer 2021

Concrete and other cementitious materials are widely employed in structural engineering all over the world. However, due to their low tensile strength and low strain capacity at fracture, concrete is vulnerable to cracking, and the inherent brittleness may cause unexpected damage in the hardened state.

Adding fibers to concrete will solve these defects and further provides a practical means to improve the mechanical performance of concrete, such as increased toughness and ductility, improved fatigue and impact resistance, and reduced creep, shrinkage cracking, and permeability, as well as marked enhancement in post-cracking behavior.

The design and performance of a Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) project developed at the University of Victoria by UVic students proved to mitigate the propagation of cracks. All concrete specimens where Steel Fiber was added also had increased post-crack load-carrying capacity.

After the performance of several non-destructive and destructive tests, it was proved that the specimens containing SFRC had a higher tensile strength and flexural toughness, which was 1.5 times higher compared to the results of the test performed on the concrete with no steel fiber reinforcement. The results obtained will result in more durability, and therefore a longer service life of a concrete structure.

The SFRC can be applied in a wide range of construction applications.

Some of the applications of SFRC:

• Pavements
• Sidewalks
• Rock slope stabilization
• Construction of precast products
• Concrete pipes

The use of fibers in concrete can reduce the total energy consumption of a construction project and will contribute to sustainable building practices.

The graphics below show the results of increasing tensile strength and flexural toughness by adding steel fiber to concrete.

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This project was performed by Civil Engineering students (undergraduate and graduate) at the University of Victoria: Blaise Eze Jared Barrow Jarod Rossander Perla Rodulfo

Supervisor: Dr. Rishi Gupta, P.Eng

The above-mentioned team expects that this project will add to knowledge and practices in local concrete construction projects by adding options for concrete reinforcements. Innovative construction methods and materials can add to more sustainable practices by reducing the amount of regular Portland cement used, and by using materials that can reduce the carbon footprint of certain projects.

There are opportunities for using these methods and materials for repair work as well as used in new construction. The team is looking forward to sharing more research and ideas to add to the concrete construction options here on Vancouver Island and beyond.

For more information on this project, please contact Perla Rodulfo at rodulfop@uvic.ca or 250-220-1783

Victoria, B.C. – Even in the face of a global pandemic, the Young Builders Network (YBN) still found a way to support one of their favourite local charities, the Help Fill A Dream Foundation.

Now in its eighth year, and their fifth year partnering with the foundation, the network was able to raise $15,000 — an impressive amount given the circumstance.

“We in the construction industry have been fortunate to have avoided many of the financial hardships which other industries are still grappling with, so naturally we felt compelled to give back to the community”, said YBN Chair A.J. Winters. “So many of us have children of our own, and our hearts go out to parents struggling with children who have life-threatening illnesses. We’re proud to contribute what we can.”

Limited by pandemic restrictions, this year’s event looked a bit different than times past. In-lieu of a charity casino, the network opted for a virtual whiskey tasting with samples from Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery, as well as a mixology class from Scott Van Wyck of Swans Pub. On top of that, toss in a silent auction, musical bingo and a dance party and you’ve got a recipe for a good time.

“We are so grateful to YBN and VICA for their continued support”, said Help Fill A Dream Executive Director Craig Smith. “We are humbled by the collective passion, enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and innovation of this group. It is a true pleasure to work with everyone at YBN, their energy is infectious. Help Fill A Dream has been making Dreams come true for 35 years and it is thanks to the continuous commitment of groups like YBN and VICA that we have never had to say no to a child that qualifies for support.”

“We’re proud of our networks for taking on initiatives to support local families through community partners like Help Fill A Dream,” said VICA CEO Rory Kulmala. “In a year where it was difficult for our members to get together, I commend the YBN group for their creative thinking resulting in a great event.”

Party Prohibition: A Virtual Tasting Event By YBN was held on March 26^th, with the $15,000 cheque being delivered this past August.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Owen O’Rourke, Marketing & Communications

Vancouver Island Construction Association

250.800.1722| owen@vicabc.ca

ABOUT YOUNG BUILDERS NETWORK

The Young Builder’s Network mandate is to develop a young executive’s network to provide an atmosphere of networking to build relationships within the construction community; to present information, professional development and leadership or mentorship opportunities that will benefit the individual YBN members and their respective companies; to participate in community engagement initiatives; and to support and promote career paths in the construction industry.

ABOUT VICA

The Vancouver Island Construction Association is a member-based, industry led association that serves the institutional, commercial, industrial, civil, and multi-family residential construction sectors across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and other coastal areas of British Columbia. www.vicabc.ca

MazumaGo saves Dave 5+ hours of admin work and helps him collect receivables 10 days faster than with cheques.

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This article is brought you by Mazuma-Go. For more information, please visit Mazumago.com

High value payments for construction.

NZ Builder specializes in building high-performance, energy-efficient homes and Dave is the man in charge of sending and receiving high-value payments to keep everyone happy. In the construction industry, most businesses rely on using cheques to move large amounts of money, but the process is painfully inefficient.

Growing up in New Zealand where online payments are far more advanced, Dave didn’t even know how to use a cheque until he moved to Canada and was asked to write one. To this day, he still Googles how to write one to double-check that everything is written on the right line. They’re not intuitive and they take forever.

HIDDEN COSTS OF A CHEQUE

“Cheques in my head cost a minimum of $25 each.”

Blanket across the board, Dave always sees $25 as the minimum cost for a cheque. Sometimes they can cost up to $50-$55 depending on how annoying it is or if it’s convenient to get to the post office. If it requires a special trip, that’s time he can’t get back.

Some suppliers in the construction industry also require same day payments and that requires a courier to get involved. There are a lot of nuances to be concerned about with cheques and he loves that MazumaGo handles all of that for him.

• Online Payments
• Flat Fee

REMOVE HUMAN ERROR

“I like eliminating the chance for me to make mistakes.”

Wire transfers aren’t any better. Dave still sees ample opportunity to make mistakes with routing numbers there too. He always double checks the numbers and asks himself, “Did I send this to the right person? Did I write this on the right line?” 

Other solutions he’s used will keep banking information on file but if the client changes their banking without telling him then he’s entirely in the dark and the payment won’t go through.

With MazumaGo he appreciates how he simply has to send an email to a client and they can authorize online directly to their own bank. It’s just like accepting an etransfer, but without the limits. The client chooses which bank account they want to accept the funds into, and all they need is a custom code from me to connect our accounts.

• Invite via email
• Real-Time Tracking

SIMPLE AND SECURE

“Being backed by BMO should be enough to make people feel comfortable.”

Dave believes that if you boil it down, MazumaGo is the ability to do a massive etransfer without the limits. And like etransfers, Dave appreciates the inherent security around that. The knowledge that the payments run through the BMO security platform also gives him confidence that the payments he sends and receives through MazumaGo will go through smoothly. 

When he has to send or receive a payment he knows he can send the automated email through the platform, but always prefers to copy and paste the payment links into his own personal emails. He believes that sending an email reminds his end customer that he supports this platform and that they can trust it to deliver.

• Copy Payment Link
• Bank-grade security

MazumaGo is a Canadian-based payment provider that enables businesses to send and receive no-limit payments for a flat fee – regulated and trusted by FINTRAC Canada.

Learn more at mazumago.com. Sign up free and cancel anytime, or book a free demo today.

Mention your VICA membership to receive a $100 starting credit upon sign up.

In partnership with the BC Public Health Office, the BCCA and its partners have made available construction fast lanes at select vaccination centers around the province on specified dates between and times through June and July.

No registration or appointment needed, just show up at one of the locations listed below on any one of the dates identified. Government ID and Personal Health Number is not essential but recommended to get you through even faster.

*First dose only, wear your hard hat or bring your site access card or other construction ID. 

Vancouver Island Clinics & Dates

We are excited to offer SIX different locations across the island!

Fast Lane available July 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 from 1:00 PM – 4:00PM

Campbell River – Campbell River Community Centre (401 11 Ave)
Courtenay/Comox – Glacier Gardens Arena (1399 Military Row)
Nanaimo – Woodgrove Centre (6631 Island Hwy)
Nanaimo – Beban Park (2300 Bowen Rd)
Langford – Eagle Ridge Community Centre (1089 Langford Pkwy)
Victoria – Archie Browning Sports Centre (1151 Esquimalt Rd)

Report Examines Lived Experiences of Substances Users Through Three Month Interview Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Victoria, BC (June 01, 2021) – The Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) and its harm reduction team have completed the stakeholder engagement phase of their four-phase Tailgate Toolkit harm reduction initiative.

Phase 1 consisted of in-depth qualitative interviews with members of the Vancouver Island construction industry who had past or present experience of drug use or were in supervisory positions and responsible for implementing harm reduction measures within their company or organization.

Findings of the report highlighted the stigmatization of opioid use within the construction/trades industry, while also describing the paths which led individuals towards substance use, such as self-medication for emotion or physical pain, and the culture of traditional masculinity and the barriers it creates when asking for help.

“The testimony within this report underscores the reality that not all substance users fit into a single category,” said Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association.  “This report only reinforces the need for a multi-faceted approach to address the overdose crisis on Vancouver Island. We believe that these stories will resonate with folks in the industry, leading to those critical conversations allowing someone to seek help if they’re in need.”

The stakeholder engagement report will inform VICA’s harm reduction team as they work with Island Health’s overdose response team to implement the next three phases of the Tailgate Toolkit.

“We welcome this report from VICA, which offers valuable insights into the impact of the drug-poisoning crisis on people working in the construction industry,” says Dr. Richard Stanwick, Island Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer. “We’re grateful to everyone who shared their experiences – their stories are an invaluable contribution to the development of the Tailgate Toolkit, and to our understanding of this complex issue.”

Phase two of the Toolkit will be a training course for those in direct supervisory or front-line response positions which would cover recognizing substance use/impairment, mental health first aid, mental health, and substance use literacy with a focus on having effective and supportive conversations, a more thorough summary of services available, and naloxone trainer training.

To view and download the Phase 1 report, click here.

To learn more about the Tailgate Toolkit visit, www.vicabc.ca/harmreduction  

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS

Rory Kulmala
Chief Executive Officer
Vancouver Island Construction Association

MEDIA CONTACT
Owen O’Rourke, Communications, VICA
owen@vicabc.ca | 250-800-1722

Andrew Leyne, Media relations, Island Health
Andrew.leyne@viha.ca | 250-370-8908 

ABOUT VICA
The Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) has served the construction community since 1912 and is one of Canada’s oldest not-for-profit, industry associations. With offices in Victoria and Nanaimo, VICA connects the Island’s institutional, commercial, and multi-family residential sectors with skilled labour, education, and networking opportunities.

About Island Health

Island Health provides health care and support services to more than 850,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and mainland communities north of Powell River. With more than 23,000 staff and over 2,500 physician partners, 4,000 volunteers, and the dedicated support of foundations and auxiliaries, Island Health delivers a broad range of health services, including: public health services, primary health care, home and community care, mental health and addictions services, acute care in hospitals, and much more across a huge, geographically diverse region.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Victoria, BC (May 5, 2021) – The Vancouver Island Construction Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2^nd Annual 2021 VICA Awards, which recognize the work its members do to build and regenerate our local communities: the universities, hospitals, historic sites, airports, and condominiums.

“While we could have postponed our awards for the second year in a row, we could not have done it in good conscious.” says Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA). “Having witnessed the resilience of the construction industry on Vancouver Island, the adoption of new health and safety regulations, and being one of the lone driving forces of the Island’s economy, we had to reimage what our awards could look like in pandemic times.”

Taking inspiration from other industry associations, the 2^nd Annual VICA Awards were pivoted to a pre-recorded online broadcast, in-lieu of a live event and featured over 40 submissions and 14 category winners.

Among the categories was the VICA Member of the Year, won by Durwest Construction Management (DCM). DCM’s support of VICA through continuous membership, utilizing the association’s training and education offerings as well as their strong support of VICA’s Construct Your Future work employment program made them a stand-out nominee for the award.

“Durwest Construction Management strongly believes in the power of networking and community” says Devon Kray, vice president of DMC. “We have also always believed in promoting construction in general through our involvement with VICA and we are humbled and very proud to be the recipients of this year’s VICA Member of The Year award.”

The Prime Contractor Over $10 Million was awarded to Knappett Projects for their Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health & Wellness project at Camosun College in Victoria while the Subcontractor Over $5 Million was awarded to United Engineering ltd. for their Neptune Stacker/Reclaimer project.

“The Alex & Jo Campbell Building not only represents a significant project for Knappett Projects, but also represents a significant investment for the future of healthcare on Vancouver Island”, said Roger Yager, P. Eng., Vice President of Knappett Projects Inc. “When we get the opportunity to help create a building that will be producing the backbone of the Island’s healthcare industry, provides an open, bright, inviting and collaborative learning and teaching environment, and is aesthetically pleasing, it is a further reward for us and it’s wonderful when it’s recognized by your peers and the community”.

MEDIA INQUIRIES & INTERVIEW REQUESTS

Owen O’Rourke, Marketing & Communications
Vancouver Island Construction Association
250.800.1722| owen@vicabc.ca

A recording of the broadcast is now available on VICA’s website, www.vicabc.ca/awards

For high-resolution photos and project descriptions, please contact Owen at owen@vicabc.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Residential building permits rebound

Victoria, BC – February 23, 2021 – The total value of building permits issued on Vancouver Island slipped four per cent to $652.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 from $681.6 million the third quarter. Residential building permits jumped 26 per cent over the third quarter to $538.2 million but were four per cent lower compared to the same quarter in 2019.

Non-residential permits dropped 55 per cent in the quarter to $114.1 million from $254.5 million following a large surge in commercial permits in the third quarter. Commercial permits plunged 73 per cent to $56.3 million while institutional-government permits posted a 32 per cent increase to $50.3 million to partially offset that drop. 

“Overall, building permit activity in Vancouver Island communities continues at a strong level, despite the coronavirus pandemic,” said Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association.

Notable performances during the fourth quarter of 2020 included a 60 per cent jump in residential permits issued in the Capital Regional District (RD) over the third quarter, a 20 per cent increase in total permits in the Strathcona RD, and a 14 per cent rise in the Alberni-Clayoquot RD.

The Nanaimo investment spending on non-residential building construction in the Victoria metropolitan area rose for the fourth consecutive month ending in November to $37.2 million as a result of a rebound in commercial and public permits that occurred in the third quarter of 2020.

Victoria’s residential building construction investment spending increased 8.1 per cent ending in November to $157 million on the strength of multi-unit dwellings, particularly apartments which increased 22.3 per cent to $88.08 million.

Construction industry employment in Vancouver Island-Coast region dropped 14.4 per cent during the fourth quarter in Vancouver Island (excluding Victoria) and 1.4 per cent in the Victoria metro area. This result was not consistent with other indicators of construction activity at that time.  

“While total building permits issued in 2020 came in one per cent below 2019’s level, the 2021 outlook is somewhat uncertain as a result of the pandemic,” said Kulmala.

“Overall, I expect total building permits issued in 2021 will increase about five per cent over 2020, led by residential construction activity as demand for housing increases due to low interest rates, affordable home prices and provincial in-migration.

Click here to view full report.

Arrange an interview with VICA CEO Rory Kulmala:

Owen O’Rourke, Communications Specialist

Vancouver Island Construction Association

250.800.1722 | owen@vicabc.ca 

On Wednesday, Februray 24, VICA Members and staff wore their best and brightest pink shirts in support of Pink Shirt Day, an anti-bullying campaign celebrated nationwide. Although the campaign started on a schoolground we should not forget that bullying isn’t acceptable anywhere, including the workplace. 

We were thrilled to see so many VICA Members donning “safety pink” in the office and on site for Pink Shirt Day this year. A special thanks to those members who took part in VICA’s Pink Shirt Day initiative.

• AllTerra Construction
• BCCA Employee Benefits Trust
• Banyan Group of Companies 
• Benson Manufacturing 
• Camosun Women in Trades
• Campbell Construction
• ClearLite Glass
• Durwest Construction Management
• Farmer Construction
• Flynn Canada
• HeroWork Radical Renovations
• Knappett Projects
• MT Construction Advisory Services
• Method Engineering
• MKM Projects
• Playsted Sheet Metal (PSM)
• RC Roofing Ltd
• Rob Tournour Masonry
• Sawyer Construction
• Securco 
• Slegg Building Materials
• Trades Labour Corp. (TLC)
• Viking Reinforcing
• Wilson M Beck Insurance Services (Victoria)
• Young Builders Network
• VICA U40
• VICA Women in Construction

Click the photo to the side to see photos of VICA Members in their loud and proud garb. You can also check out our Instagram feed @viconstruction or the soon-to-be-posted album on our Facebook page and LinkedIn.

#PinkShirtDay #VICAMembers #CDNConstructionGives #LiftEachOtherUp

Your VICA Membership means we’re working on issues on your behalf. Whether it be tendering issues, procurement practices, or supporting provincial and national issues through our partners at BCCA and CCA, VICA continues to be your voice for issues impacting our industry. 

Each election cycle our partners at the BC Construction Assoicaiton create a directory of our local MLAs and with this directory you’re able to view their voting records, topics they’ve raised in the legisature as well as their contact. 

A common misconception is that strategic planning is only for large companies. But the reality is that most businesses can greatly benefit from the exercise.

Whether it’s buying a competitor, increasing your capital or aiming for higher growth, you need the right strategies, structure, plans and controls in place to optimize the return on your investment.

“Strategic planning involves looking at where you want your company to be in the next 3 to 5 years and determining what you need to do to get there,” says Nyron Drepaul, Business Consultant at BDC.

“If you’re always busy putting out fires, you may feel you have no time for planning,” Drepaul says. “But by developing big-picture strategies to guide your day-to-day operations and setting goals, you’re no longer flying blind. A long-term plan simply increases your chances of success.”

Minimizing risk

Another reason for entrepreneurs to make strategic planning a priority is that it reduces risk, particularly in periods of economic uncertainty. “As part of the process, you’ll be assessing your current situation, resources, strengths and weaknesses, competitors and the business environment. This way, you will be better equipped to make decisions and therefore to minimize risk.”

For Drepaul, strategic planning also helps entrepreneurs to shake things up a little. “It’s a way to rekindle the entrepreneurial drive that got you started in the first place. For example, you may have started out with a dream of a $10-million business with stores all over the world. But along the way, you got distracted by daily challenges, lost sight of that dream and settled for less than your true potential.”

“Strategic planning reignites that passion for what you’re doing. If you have a real plan with goals, it’s very rewarding to achieve each milestone. That sense of satisfaction builds the momentum you need to push even further.”

Involve your employees

Drepaul recommends entrepreneurs involve their employees in the strategic planning exercise, particularly in smaller companies. When employees contribute, they take ownership of the plan and help you reach your goals.

“This builds enthusiasm in your company and gets everybody on the same page.” For example, entrepreneurs can ask employees to brainstorm about a company’s strengths and weaknesses. After all, your staff knows your company inside out.

Get outside advice

A crucial part of successful strategic planning is to ensure you seek an external, objective point of view. Most small businesses don’t have the resources and expertise in-house to guide them through the strategic planning process.

“A consultant can give you a fresh perspective on your business, help you envision the future you want and define your long-term goals,” Drepaul says. “An expert can also ensure you follow a rigorous plan with clear timelines and assigned responsibilities.

“It’s about getting you thinking differently about your company and bringing you closer to achieving your dreams.”

At a glance

Strategic planning enables you to:

• Envision your company’s future over the next 3 to 5 years
• Define your long-term goals
• Assess your current environment, as well as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
• Develop strategies and tactics to address any identified problems
• Assign timelines and responsibilities to turn your plan into reality
• Reduce the risk of doing business based on better decisions and achieve your company’s potential

To read the full article please visit: https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/business-strategy-planning/define-strategy/strategic-planning-your-business