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Making Strategic Goals

The B.C. Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association (BCRB &
HCA) is the recognized advocate for a balanced, safe transportation
system that sustains and promotes provincial economic growth.

The B.C. Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association (BCRB & HCA) is the recognized advocate for a balanced, safe transportation system that sustains and promotes provincial economic growth. The BCRB & HCA is committed to promoting public awareness and communicating industry positions and expectations to government and industry stakeholders. A strategic plan has been developed for the year 2013 with several goals and priorities in place in order to find solutions to current industry issues and challenges in B.C.   

The goal of persuading governments at all levels to stay committed to a long-term approach of investing in strategic core infrastructure, in order to sustain economic growth, is at the forefront for the BCRB & HCA. British Columbians depend on the infrastructure investments made today to provide them with the standard of living and level of prosperity that they will have in the future.

Improving worker safety and reducing injury costs is another imperative goal for the BCRB & HCA. This will be reached by developing injury management and “return to work” programs and best practices, and worker wellness “fit to work” and injury prevention programs and best practices, in order to improve health outcomes and worker productivity. The BCRB & HCA will advocate for the “Slow Down, Move Over” legislation. They will also advocate for traffic control costs to be included in the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure construction tenders as a “provisional sum,” which will take the subjective interpretation of the bidding process out, making it fair for everyone.

Continuing to develop a skilled workforce for our industry is also of utmost importance to the BCRB & HCA. The BCRB & HCA will review recruitment and retention programs and develop recommendations for improvement. They will work with TransCDA to ensure training and educational programs are producing workers with the competencies needed for our industry and to include an educational section on the basics of how business works. The BCRB & HCA will also continue to work with First Nations groups to recruit and train their members for careers in road and heavy construction.

This year the BRBC & HCA will strive to build co-operative relationships with several industry stakeholders. This includes a stronger relationship with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in order to advocate for sustained investment in construction, maintenance and rehabilitation, limits on day labour projects, inclusion in the “Slow Down, Move Over” legislation, and legislated participation in the “One Call” program. The BCRB & HCA will also work with BC Hydro to develop short-term goals for moving the new contract implementation and cultural change forward, and they will start a review of BC Hydro’s Tender Documents and Practices. Their goal is to make it easier for contractors to work with the BC Hydro construction contract and bid on opportunities. The BCRB & HCA plans to establish contact and build a relationship with Union of B.C. Municipalities and BC Public Works Association in order to advocate for open tendering, contracting out, and not competing with private-sector contractors. The BCRB & HCA will advocate also for common contract language in order to create improved construction documents, thus minimizing confusion and disputes.

Improved membership communications and services is also important to the BCRB & HCA as they will strive to improve access for member input to Association direction and goals, and continue to find ways to provide members with access to appropriate decision makers. They will also investigate education and personal development opportunities as expanded member services programs (i.e., lunch and learns).

Our biggest priorities for 2013 include pushing the federal and provincial governments to better focus environmental assessment resources, to make permanent the rebate of the G.S.T. paid on all municipal purchases, and to increase the amount transferred to municipalities under the gas tax program.

Jack Davidson, President of the B.C. Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association