Blog

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is seeking to establish a pre-qualified list of firms to support its BC Highway Reinstatement Program which the Province has initiated to repair highways compromised by the extreme rainfall events of November 14 and 15,2021

Update on progress being made towards prompt payment laws in BC

SICA has teamed up with BC Construction Association Employee Benefit Trust (BCCA EBT) to ensure that construction workers are protected from the seasonal flu.

The associations are committed to working with government but want to see an effort to address the issues that have been raised.

SICA has announced the finalists for the 2020/2021 Industry Awards of Excellence!

On Thursday, September 23rd, SICA is holding a hybrid in-person/virtual Annual General Meeting. During the AGM SICA will share our latest Annual Report which covers the fiscal period between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.

Through the Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA) Fund and in partnership with the Construction Foundation of BC, SICA is organizing the Kelowna Crane Incident Legacy Education Fund. This fund is a tribute to the individuals who tragically lost their lives from the Brooklyn Site Incident on July 12th, 2021. The funds raised through this fund will go towards supporting future post-secondary education for the children of the victims in this tragedy.

SICA is amplifying the call to show solidarity and honour those who lost their lives on Monday by hanging a safety vest outside your workplace or home. Please consider hanging a safety vest outside your workplace or home. Use the hashtag #hangahighvisoutside when posting this initiative on social media.

The board, staff, and members of SICA are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic crane accident in Kelowna yesterday. Our hearts grieve for the families, friends, and co-workers of those who did not return home from the job-site last night. Our deepest condolences go out to those who have been affected by this catastrophe.

In partnership with the BC Public Health Office, the BCCA and its partners have made available construction fast lanes at select vaccination centers around the province on specified dates between and times through June and July.

I write to you heavy with emotions regarding the recent discovery at the Kamloops residential school. This is a long-awaited confirmation of the cultural annihilation forced upon our indigenous communities. I feel the profound grief and anger of my ancestral lineage being of the Metis Nation, as well as a feeling of deep shame of being Canadian right now.

The BC Construction Association has released their latest industry-wide survey.

The BC Construction Association has responded to the 2021 BC Budget.

The Canadian Construction Association responds to the 2021 Federal Budget.

Today, April 9th, as part of the #lunchboxchallenge for Construction Month 2021 SICA was happy to serve lunch to the workers on the Acres Enterprises Ltd. Barkman site in Merritt!

BuildForce Canada's annual Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward forecasts offer a 10-year scenario of workforce supply and demand.

It’s no exaggeration to say the global economy has been paralyzed by the pandemic. Fortunately for many Canadians, the construction industry was one of the few beacons in an otherwise slow economy greatly inhibited by COVID-19. Of course, the many forms of construction activity couldn’t forge ahead frivolously – social distancing, rigorous cleaning protocols and an abundance of caution were the norm on work sites everywhere, and it’s clear these methods will continue in the months ahead.

The Gold Seal Certification program certifies estimators, foremen, owner’s construction managers, project managers, safety practitioners and superintendents working in, or with, Canada’s non-residential construction industry.

On March 5, 2021 SICA hosted our first ever virtual conference: Building Forward. We would like to thank all of the attendees who joined us live!

The nomination period for SICA’s 2nd Annual Industry Awards of Excellence has begun. Nominations will be accepted until January 15th, 2021.

SICA is pleased to announce 7 new board members that were ratified at the September 16th Annual General Meeting for the term of 2 years.

During our September AGM SICA shared our latest Annual Report.

​Like you, SICA has been closely monitoring the ongoing global spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

SICA would like to congratulate all the finalists and the winners of SICA's inaugural Industry Awards of Excellence! Finalists and winners were honored yesterday, October 3rd, at the Award Presentation Dinner held at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna, BC.

The Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA) has announced the finalists for their 2019 Industry Awards of Excellence. These awards recognize construction project awards and leadership awards.

New institutional, commercial, industrial building, multi-family, recreational or renovation projects that have been completed between July 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019 are eligible for nomination.

On February 22, 2019 SICA held the 19th CCO Workshop at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna.

Let’s look at some the big moments at SICA in 2018...

The SICA team is proud to share that we have joined forces with the Construction Foundation of BC to establish a charitable fund in support of local, southern interior, initiatives.

Our annual holiday celebrations take place in a variety of cities across our SICA region.

Working during winter feels more like survival of the fittest than an everyday challenge. The risks are much greater for employees who have to work and drive outdoors.

50th Parallel Estate Winery of Lake Country was named the Judge’s Choice best overall entry in the 10th Annual Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards Thursday, Sept. 20 at the Coast Capri Hotel.

SICA held our annual Chair Dinner and Award Night where we celebrate member anniversaries, board volunteers, Gold Seal recipients, and scholarship recipients. In addition, this year we had the honor of awarding both a Consultant Award and the Innovation Award.

On Wednesday, September 12, Emil Anderson Construction (EAC) was awarded the Southern Interior Construction Association’s 2018 Innovation Award for their work on the Vedder Bridge Project in Chilliwack, BC.

A record-tying 37 finalists have been announced for the 10th Annual Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards, set for Thursday, September 20 at the Coast Capri Hotel.

The new Pattullo Bridge Community Benefits Agreement patently illustrates what is unfair with our current government’s policy decision to mandate the nature and extent of procurement requirements in major public construction projects.

The Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA) joins the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) in expressing deep concern about the Community Benefits Agreement announced by B.C. Premier John Horgan July 16.

Every year the Kamloops Trap & Skeet is one of the most anticipated events we host! With over 100 attendees, BBQ steaks, and some tough competition it is safe to say that a blast was had by all.

On June 21st, 2018 144 golfers converged on Sunset Ranch Golf Course for the annual SICA Golf Tournament. Despite lightening in the valley causing a brief course closure and pouring down rain in the afternoon the event was a huge success!

The beautiful Roche Lake Resort was again the site for our now 2nd annual Family Fishing Derby. This event, hosted through a joint partnership between the Southern Interior Construction Association and CapriCMW Insurance, is quickly becoming a must attend for all SICA members.

The CCA Person of the Year Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate the qualities of a leader and who apply the highest standards and principles of the construction industry and business community. To those who have had the opportunity of working alongside Terry Brown, he is the living embodiment of this description.

2018 marked the 10th year of the Heavy Metal Rocks event in Kamloops. This project provides opportunities for Grade 11 and 12 students from the School District No. 73 to explore career opportunities in the heavy equipment operator field.

The Kamloops building community was proud to celebrate BC’s Construction & Skilled Trades Month with a breakfast held at Thompson River's University on Monday.

The Kelowna building community was proud to celebrate BC’s Construction & Skilled Trades Month with a breakfast held at Okanagan College on Thursday. In the newly built Trades Building contractors, apprentices, foundation program students and industry support organizations gathered to recognize the impact the construction industry has on the BC and specifically the Okanagan economy.

The BCCA Employee Benefits’ plans offer other services beyond dental and extended health care.

Successful buildings have always been the result of collaboration between the client, designers, and contractors. A strong team, clear expectations, and concise information will typically result in a project which all involved parties will consider successful. Through recent decades the delivery of projects has changed with increased complexity, decreased timeframes, and changing delivery methods. Now more than ever it is critical that the collaboration between the team occurs to ensure the desired outcome.

On December 13, the federal government released legislation to simplify restrictions on income sprinkling, proposed to go into effect January 1, 2018. These revisions indicate they’ve listened to feedback during the consultation period, by providing more certainty to taxpayers through the introduction of “bright-line” tests to automatically exclude some family members, and allow income sprinkling for those members who make sufficient contributions to the business.

Adaptability, initiative, and customer service are the keys to longevity for a local commercial and residential excavation business in Kelowna. OK Excavating is celebrating 50 years of business in 2017 and, in those years, has undergone many evolutions.

A hazard such as a fire has protocols and procedures that are designed to mitigate risks – inspections, suppression systems, and risk management practices. Cyber protection of a business should also employ a rigorous process to develop both a risk prevention and incident response plan. Most cyber insurance applications serve as a catalyst in moving towards this process.

​The Builders Lien Act (the “Act”) requires strict compliance with the prescribed manner, form, and time limits set out in the Act. Failure to comply with any of these requirements will be fatal to the lien claim.