Articles & Publications

Publication, Staff | November 8, 2023 | Kai Hsieh

Build, Baby, Build: An Overview of Updates Regarding the Housing Supply Act, Housing Supply Regulation and Housing Target Orders

In light of the Housing Supply Regulation coming into force and the new housing target orders, this article briefly reviews the important provisions of the Housing Supply Act, outlines the Regulation and considers additional recently enacted legislation related to the supply of housing in British Columbia. This article then considers the potential impacts of the legislation and housing target orders on the construction industry generally.

As published in the NRCA’s Northern Construction Connection November 2023 Newsletter, and VICA’s e-New.

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Publication, Staff | September 14, 2023 |

Accessible BC Act: Overview and Implications for Organizations

In June 2021, the British Columbia government enacted the Accessible British Columbia Act, S.B.C. 2023, c. 19. to support people with disabilities in meaningfully participating in their communities. Currently, the Act applies to the provincial government and those organizations prescribed by regulation.

This article provides an overview of the Act, highlights its key provisions, explains its application to public organizations and its relevance to organizations who are not currently subject to the Act.

As published in the NRCA’s Northern Construction Connection September 2023 Newsletter, and VICA’s e-New.

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Publication, Staff | March 15, 2023 |

Not the Cost of Doing Business: Deterrence and Denunciation Considerations Mean Individuals and Organizations can Face Serious Consequences for Workplace Safety Violations

In 2021, there were 1,081 work-related fatalities in Canada. The construction industry had the highest number of fatalities, 212. According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, workers in the construction industry submitted 28,721 claims for lost time due to injury. Serious injuries and fatalities are devastating for workers and their families. They also place employers at risk of liability.

As published in the NRCA’s Northern Construction Connection March 2023 Newsletter, and VICA’s e-New.

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Publication, Staff | November 10, 2022 |

Bidders Beware: Information Submitted in Response to an RFP may be Disclosed

Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, RSBC 1996, c. 165 (“FIPPA”), members of the public may request access to records held by a public body (“records”).

To balance the objectives of making records accessible and protecting privacy rights of individuals and corporations, section 21(1) of FIPPA sets out a three-part test to determine when the head of the public body must refuse to disclose requested information.

While this article deals with section 21(1)(b), section 21(1)(a) and section 21(1)(c) also must be satisfied. The specific considerations under those sections are significant enough warrant their own article. This article will deal exclusively with section 21(1)(b).

As published in the NRCA’s Northern Construction Connection November 2022 Newsletter, and VICA’s e-New.

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