EP9: From Construction Sites to Question Period: A Builder in the Legislature
Release Date: 06/18/2025
EP24: Embracing Prefabrication: The Key to Solving Canada’s Housing Crisis
The Builders' Bench
In this week's episode, we explore the incredible potential of prefab to transform the industry and tackle the housing shortage. Craig Larkins sits down with Craig Mitchell, Partner and Project Manager at 720 Modular and former VRCA Board Chair, fresh off a tour of Sweden’s prefab factories. They break down what prefab really means, why Sweden builds at scale, and what Canada needs to change to build faster, smarter, and at the pace this moment demands. This episode of the Builders’ Bench is brought to you in part by Pitt Meadows Plumbing – building iconic projects and...
info_outline
EP23: Building a Pipeline for the Future - Inside Youth Work in Trades Program
The Builders' Bench
What if the path to a skilled trade started before graduation? Host Craig Larkins is joined by Mark Reid from the Vancouver School Board to explore Youth Work in Trades, a program connecting students to paid apprenticeships early, supporting families, and helping industry tackle the labour crunch. This episode is brought to you in part by Pitt Meadows Plumbing - building iconic projects and elevating the industry through strong teams, partnerships, and advocacy.
info_outline
EP22: Builders' Bench - 2025 Wrapped: Politics, Promises, and Projects!
The Builders' Bench
A year of political shakeups, big promises, and nation-building talk. Host Craig Larkins and Sajjid Lakhani from Impact Public Affairs unpack what it all means for builders as British Columbia heads into a critical municipal election year. Take a seat on the bench with us!
info_outline
EP21: PermitsCA - The New Power Tool for B.C. Builders
The Builders' Bench
On this episode of The Builders’ Bench, Craig sits down with Sue Connors and Adam Addlestone from the BC Construction Association (BCCA) to break down PermitsCA - a new tool giving builders real-time visibility into permit activity across B.C. What does it mean? Smarter bids. Better planning. Fewer surprises. If you want to know where the work is headed before anyone else, this is the episode to tune into. Take a seat on the bench. This one’s a game changer.
info_outline
EP20: Rebuilding Vancouver: Inside the City’s New Playbook for Builders
The Builders' Bench
In this episode, the federal budget has dropped and with billions promised for housing and infrastructure, the City of Vancouver is watching closely. We hear from the City’s planning leaders on why federal investment is critical to unlocking non-market (affordable) housing and the infrastructure needed to support it. They share what’s encouraging in this year’s budget and what’s still needed to turn ambition into action - alongside Vancouver’s ongoing efforts to modernize zoning, digital permitting, and its new city-wide Official Development Plan. Hosted by Craig Larkins, with...
info_outline
EP19: Budget 2025: Progress on Paper, Challenges on the Ground
The Builders' Bench
In this episode, the Federal Budget 2025 dropped with bold promises - billions for infrastructure, housing, and nation-building. But can Ottawa turn ambition into action? Host Craig Larkins sits down with Louis-Philippe Champagne (CCA) and Sajjid Lakhani (Impact Public Affairs) to unpack what’s the numbers, and what builders need next. Progress on paper. Challenges on the ground. Take a seat on the bench - where construction conversations happen.
info_outline
EP18: B.C. by the Numbers: What the Fall Stat Pack Says About Building Our Future
The Builders' Bench
In this episode, the latest BCCA Stat Pack just dropped - and the results might surprise you. From job surges to permits, BCCA President, Chris Atchison, joins The Builders’ Bench to discuss what’s really happening behind the numbers.
info_outline
EP17: Ottawa’s Big Spend: A Pre-Budget Breakdown - What’s In It for Builders?
The Builders' Bench
In this episode, we break down Prime Minister Carney's recent budget-themed speech. They analyze the potential impacts on the construction industry, the upcoming budget expectations, and the political dynamics of a minority government. The conversation highlights the need for skilled workers, the focus on capital projects, and the challenges of balancing union and non-union interests in the construction sector. Joining host Craig Larkins on the bench: Louis-Philippe Champagne, Associate VP, Public Affairs – Canadian Construction Association and Sajjid Lakhani, Director – Impact...
info_outline
EP16: Nation-Building Starts with Builders: A Conversation with CCA President Rod Gilbert
The Builders' Bench
In this episode of Builder's Bench, Craig Larkins speaks with Rod Gilbert, President of the Canadian Construction Association, about the current state of construction in Canada. They discuss the challenges of nation building, workforce shortages, immigration policies, and supply chain pressures. Gilbert emphasizes the importance of collaboration between government and industry to address these issues and ensure the future of construction is bright.
info_outline
EP15: Tariffs, Acronyms, and the Carney Agenda - When the Rubber Hits the Road for Construction
The Builders' Bench
New government acronyms, new offices, tariffs - and the rise of Prime Minister Carney’s agenda. Joining host Craig Larkins on The Builders’ Bench to break it all down are Louis-Philippe Champagne, AVP of Public Affairs & Industry Practices at the Canadian Construction Association, and Sajjid Lakhani, Director at Impact Public Affairs. Together, they cut through the political noise to talk about what really matters on the jobsite - how decisions in Ottawa are shaping prices, projects, and the future of construction in B.C. and across Canada.
info_outlineWhat happens when a former construction project manager becomes the Opposition Critic for Infrastructure and Construction?
On this episode of The Builders’ Bench, we sit down with MLA Misty Van Popta to talk bottlenecks, Bill 15, and building smarter in BC.