April is Construction Month

This year, B.C.’s construction industry celebrates the fourth annual Construction and Skilled Trades Month.

I would like to thank and recognize the sacrifices and important efforts made by our members every day in every region of B.C. When the women and men of our union lace up their boots and head out the door to provide for their families, they contribute to the economy, help sustain jobs in other sectors, and help build the community. In B.C., up to $100 billion in construction projects can be underway at any given time, which represents over 8% of the province’s gross domestic product.

Our industry was declared an essential service throughout the pandemic, and BCRCC members have consistently provided their talents and commitment to contractors and clients, working safely under Covid guidelines and additional regulations. Large projects have introduced strict safety protocols, and we have had to adapt new practices. There have been very few cases of Covid-19 in the construction industry, with union jobsites being among the safest. Thank you for staying safe and looking out for each other.

The construction sector and trades-workers are set to play a major part in the province’s post‑pandemic economic recovery plan. Skilled tradespeople are going to be crucial and relied upon for major industrial projects and massive infrastructure investments.

Today, the BCRCC is busy training the next generation of construction workers to carry on the important work UBC members have been doing in B.C. for over 100 years.

–  Mark Derton, BCRCC President