Norm Streu and Christopher Hirst
It’s time to prepare for the worst to protect against a downturn
Storm clouds are gathering over B.C.’s construction industry as we enter 2023. For more than a decade, cheap money has helped fuel a booming sector. Although COVID and material escalation created...
Navigating the construction industry’s fierce cost escalation storm
The business of construction is a roller-coaster ride at the best of times. But few things challenge the industry more than the fierce cost escalation that construction is currently experiencing....
Three energy-compliance paths for projects three storeys or under
How can cities continue to expand and provide housing for a growing population, while limiting the negative impacts on the environment that may arise from such new construction? Recent amendments...
What contractors and owners need to know about changes to the industry-standard contract
The Canadian Construction Documents Committee’s (CCDC) industry standard prime contract between owners and the general contractors is a well-known document in the construction industry. Known as the...
Legal Specs: The hidden pitfalls of reference clauses in trade contracts
It is common for trade contracts to incorporate “by reference” the terms and conditions of the prime contract. While these reference clauses are frequently used, the consequences of doing so are...
Mandatory vaccination may not be an option for construction employers
Vaccination delivery programs are finally ramping up across Canada. As a result, many construction employers are questioning whether they should be drafting and implementing mandatory COVID-19...
Employers should be aware of their duty to accommodate employees
Construction companies running afoul of their duty could face a civil claim or human rights complaint
Construction companies should check contracts, insurance for relief from potential pandemic losses
The effect of COVID-19 on the construction industry remains in the early stages. So far, construction in British Columbia has fared surprisingly well. We have avoided a government shutdown and for...