CHRIS ATCHISON
BRITISH COLUMBIA – With only two months left before B.C. voters hit the polls, the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) and the BC Construction Association (BCCA) are aiming to turn the campaign spotlight on the construction industry by proposing a bold new provincial cabinet role: the Minister of Construction.
With B.C.’s construction industry contributing $27 billion to the province’s GDP and the total current value of construction projects sitting at $160+ billion, the associations argue it’s high time the sector had its own dedicated voice at the legislature in Victoria.
“The BC Construction Association has been calling upon the Government to create a Ministry of Construction since 2019,” said BCCA President Chris Atchison. “Given the importance of BC’s construction industry, not to mention its size, complexity, and impact on communities across the province, we remain steadfast in asking for this commitment.”
“Construction isn’t just about buildings,” said VRCA President Jeannine Martin. “It’s about communities, infrastructure, and the future of this province. We need a minister who will ensure our industry gets the voice and attention it deserves. It’s time we had someone in charge of this vital, economy driving, entrepreneurial industry.”
The associations envision this new minister as the ultimate project manager who can cut through the red tape and lay the groundwork for a smoother, more efficient construction process in BC. From introducing Prompt Payment legislation to navigating the complexities of permits to addressing the skilled labour shortage, the Minister of Construction would be the go-to for everything construction-related in B.C.
With the provincial election on the horizon, the associations call on all parties to consider this forward-thinking proposal. “We’re not just building buildings here,” Martin said. “We’re building the future. And we think it’s time the government had someone in charge who gets that.”
The Northern Regional Construction Association (NRCA) and the Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA) fully support the Minister of Construction proposal.
