Municipal elections may not receive the same attention as federal or provincial campaigns, but the decisions made at city hall directly affect what gets built, how long it takes and what it costs.

Host Craig Larkins sits down with UBC political science lecturer Stewart Prest to explore what's at stake in the upcoming municipal election, why local politics matters to construction and how voters can cut through campaign promises and funding announcements.

With Election Day approaching, this conversation looks at the power of municipal government and why construction needs to be part of the conversation. Take a seat on the bench with us!

What happens when you combine the best parts of a construction tradeshow with the energy of a festival? You get BUILDFest.

Host Craig Larkins sits down with VRCA Member Experience Manager Erin Wormald for a preview of this brand-new event for B.C.'s construction community. They unpack where the idea came from, what members can expect from the exhibitors, speakers and sponsors, and how the day will wrap up with a block party.

Take a seat on the bench with us.

On this episode of the Builders' Bench, Craig Larkins catches up with Carly Steiman, founder of the Tradeswomen Calendar and Tradeswomen Exhibit, to look back at the impact so far and, more importantly, look ahead to 2027.

They talk about the stories behind the calendar, why representation matters, what Carly has learned along the way, and how the construction industry can help inspire the next generation to see the trades as a place for them.

The 2027 calendar is coming. Here's what's next.

What will a day on a construction project look like in 2030?

In Episode 2 of our Construction AI Reality Check series, we fast-forward to 2030 and imagine what happens when AI becomes part of the everyday project team.

What tasks could disappear from a project manager's day? Will teams communicate differently? What skills will matter most? And as more of the administrative work becomes automated, what parts of construction will remain fundamentally human?

This isn't science fiction. It's a practical look at where construction could be heading, what might change faster than we think, and what project teams can start doing today to get ready.

Take a seat on the bench with us.

AI is everywhere. Every conference. Every LinkedIn post. Every software demo.

But beyond the headlines and hype, what does AI actually mean for construction?

We're sitting down with industry experts to have honest, practical conversations about AI in construction. No buzzwords. No sales pitches. Just real conversations about what's changing, what's not, and what construction leaders should actually be paying attention to.

Our first guest is Nimrat Pahwa, Enterprise Solutions Specialist, AI at Procore, and we're diving straight into the questions everyone is asking:

Is AI coming for construction jobs? Where can AI actually save project teams time today? And what should leaders be paying attention to before they get left behind?

Whether you're a project manager, estimator, superintendent, executive, or simply curious about where AI is taking our industry, this series is for you.

Take a seat on the bench with us!

In this episode of The Builders' Bench, Craig Larkins sits down to discuss new supports now available for tradespeople living with chronic pain, including the new confidential text support line and Pain BC's Trades and Pain Program.

From peer support and coaching to workplace culture and prevention, this conversation explores how the industry is starting to better support the people who build our communities.

Because supporting worker wellbeing is not just good for people, it's good for the future of construction.

Take a seat on the bench.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and in construction, this conversation is shifting from awareness to action.

On this episode of The Builders' Bench, Craig Larkins sits down with Rose Olsen from the Tailgate Toolkit to talk about practical, jobsite-ready leadership training.

Designed for construction supervisors, this training equips leaders with the tools to confidently talk about substance use, mental health, and pain management on the jobsite.

Take a seat on the bench. 🎙️

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Ottawa is making a big bet on construction.

In its latest Spring Economic Update, the feds rolled out some serious spending, including $6 billion for Team Canada Strong to bring in up to 100,000 skilled trades workers, plus a new $25 billion sovereign wealth fund and a majority government now in place to push it forward. All of this is happening against a backdrop of global uncertainty, rising fuel prices and a cost to build that keeps climbing.

So what does it all actually mean for the industry?

On this episode of The Builders' Bench, Craig Larkins sits down with Louis-Philippe Champagne from the Canadian Construction Association to break it all down, from workforce and policy to rising costs and whether these big plans can actually get projects built.

Big moves from Ottawa. Real talk for construction.

B.C.'s Budget 2026 is out. The latest BCCA Stat Pack and industry survey are in. And the picture for construction in BC is anything but simple.

In this episode of the Builders' Bench, Craig Larkins sits down with BCCA President Chris Atchison for a straight-up reality check on the industry.

From project delays and shifting government priorities to workforce shortages, rising costs, and what contractors are actually saying on the ground, this 20-minute conversation cuts through the noise.

What's real, what's at risk, and what it means for builders right now.

Host Craig Larkins sits down with VRCA President Jeannine Martin to break down what makes the VRCA Awards of Excellence such a defining moment for the industry.

From new award categories to the stories behind the projects, this is a look at the people, teams, and work setting the standard across the Lower Mainland.

Thinking about submitting? This episode might be your push.