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.

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.

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 Public Affairs.

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.

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.

Prompt Payment is finally here - but what does it really mean for BC's builders?

We break it all down in a quick 15-minute conversation on The Builders' Bench with BCCA President Chris Atchison.

- What's inside Bill 20 - the Construction Prompt Payment Act. - Who's covered and who's not - from public owners to private developers. - What happens next as it moves toward becoming law? And if you run a construction company… what should you do right now to prepare?

Tune in for straight talk on how this legislation could change the way construction does business in B.C.

B.C.'s new Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister, Christine Boyle, joins The Builders' Bench to talk permits, costs, collaboration and the path forward for builders. A candid first conversation on the future of housing and municipal engagement in B.C.

Parliament may be on break, but the work doesn't stop for builders.

On this new episode of The Builders' Bench, we dig into what's been cooking on the policy front from Bill C‑5 and tariff negotiations to trade talks and B.C.'s recent cabinet shuffle.

Joining Craig Larkins on the bench this week are BCCA President Chris Atchison and Loui‑Philippe Champagne, AVP, Public Affairs & Industry Practices, Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to unpack the latest on Bill C‑5, tariffs, trade, and B.C.'s cabinet shuffle and what to watch for when the Parliament resumes House this fall.

The government's in motion — PM Carney's leaner Cabinet is in place, the Throne Speech has landed, and one mandate letter is steering the whole ship.

What does this mean for builders? We break it all down — from federal priorities to Bill C-5's game-changing impact on project delivery.

Joining host Craig Larkins on the Bench:

• Louis-Philippe Champagne – Associate Vice President Public Affairs & Industry Practices at the Canadian Construction Association (CCA)
• Sajjid Lakhani - Director at Impact Public Affairs

RECORDED LIVE AT VRCA'S Construction Leadership Forum on May 9, 2025

• Jeannine Martin, President VRCA
• Chris Atchison, President BCCA
• Pierre Cleroux, Vice President, Research and Chief Economist at BDC
• Sajjid Lakhani, Director, Government Relations & Strategy, Impact Public Affairs