The Construction Record Podcast – Episode 313: The 2023 VRCA Awards of Excellence

The Construction Record™ Podcast

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Vancouver Regional Construction Association president Jeannine Martin about the 2023 Awards of Excellence, held Oct. 17 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West.

Martin discussed the many projects involved in the awards, including impressive retail like the Pacific Centre Apple Store in downtown Vancouver, striking office complex The Stack all the way to large infrastructure projects such as the Highway 91/17 project.

She also reflected on her first months as president of the VRCA and further challenges and opportunities ahead as the association moves forward, including the creating of a diversity and inclusion committee as the industry moves forward and aligns with changing demographics.

News editor Lindsey Cole and Warren also do a special in-person roundup of the latest headlines, including two stories about the controversial Impact Assessment Act which came out four months ago and parts of which have been dialed back by Canada’s Supreme Court. DCN staff writer Angela Gismondi has a story about Ontario mayors emphasizing the need for speed when dealing with the housing crisis at a virtual mayor’s panel held by the Residential Construction Council of Ontario on Oct. 12.

Grant Cameron looks into a Volkswagen EV battery plant planned for an industrial park southeast of London, Ont. and Don Procter has a story about the $6 billion Southwood Circle development, one of the biggest in Winnipeg’s history. British Columbia premier David Eby also announced construction sites of 25 workers or more will now have flush toilets, a move praised by BC Building Trades Council executive director Brynn Bourke who has long advocated for a move away from porta-potties on worksites.

You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous interview with ICBA president Chris Gardner is here. Thanks for listening.

DCN-JOC News Services

Supreme Court ruling puts IAA ‘in the trash can, where it belongs’

Canada’s Supreme Court rules against federal environmental impact law

Speed essential to addressing the housing crisis: Ontario mayors

Volkswagen EV battery plant charged up for construction

Flush toilets on construction sites now a legal requirement: Eby

$6B Southwood Circle development unlike any other in Winnipeg’s history