Blog

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.

TKI recently completed construction on the flagship Mr. Lube store in Kelowna, where they went beyond your standard oil change facility and built a truly stunning building. Brandon had the opportunity to work with the Mr. Lube franchise owner to design a tower and architectural details that make the store more visually appealing than it would otherwise be.

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

Harris Rebar in Kelowna supports infrastructure projects and the surrounding community.

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.

To stay on track, real estate and construction companies should develop a better understanding of where tax issues are likely to complicate or disrupt their business — and develop a plan to mitigate those risks well in advance.

One of the biggest investments employers can make is in their employees. And it makes sense to want productive, healthy, and engaged employees. Employees with poor health cannot exert the effort required to be highly productive, and you need engaged employees in order to create innovative solutions.

The Board of Directors and staff are thrilled to announce that Jason Henderson has accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA) effective immediately.

The downtown Kelowna building topped a field of a record 36 , and was also named the Award of Excellence winner in the Community Institutional category. Kasian was the Architect/Designer and Bird Construction was the Developer/General Contractor.

In a recent survey of Canadian CEOs, we determined their current focus is on those actions and strategies required to secure the long-term success of their business.

A Safety Management System (SMS) is a systematic, explicit and comprehensive process for managing your safety program activities and documents.

A record 37 finalists have been announced for the 9th Annual Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards, set for Thursday, September 28 at Manteo Resort.

The Supreme Court of Canada changed the legal landscape for contracts in the decision of Bhasin v. Hrynew, [2014] SCC 71. This decision created a new common law obligation of good faith that applies to all commercial contracts.

Regardless of the size of your business or the sector you operate in, the purpose movement is shaking up the rules of business and ringing in a new era where business is an active participant in making the world a better place.

Working with family is a talent all in its own. But when it comes down to it, keeping it professional and planning for the future is what counts—just ask any of the following long-term SICA member firms, who each celebrate multi-generations in business.

If you are being asked the ‘Wrap Up’ question, your broker is familiar with construction insurance.

The state of the real estate market has a significant impact on CPA firms in the Okanagan. During down times clients ask for help to wind down and simplify their corporate structure.

Resolving a dispute can seem very much like storytelling. This is because your version of events will be presented as the foundation for the legal argument.

An hour bank plan allows employers to provide benefits to employees that would often not otherwise qualify through a group benefits plan.

Innovation, quality, service, and people — these are all terms used to describe Argus Properties.

Today’s building projects are typically delivered on a compressed timeline and a limited budget. Architects, engineers, and construction companies have to use every tool available to provide themselves with the time and space to design and build high-quality buildings.

The students of School District No. 73 in Kamloops are part of the Heavy Metal Rocks Project. The program is offered by the school district to provide students with experience and training, exposing them to career options as heavy equipment operators within the construction industry.

From portable offices to tool and supply sheds, Secure-Rite Mobile Storage Inc. cares about providing functional workspaces and secure onsite storage.

Innovation is a hot topic these days but it has generally been discussed in the context of hardcore technology.

Changes in technology, construction practices, and building codes are the primary focus of modernization within the construction industry.

Electrical contractor Houle Electric Ltd. operates under one very important motto—"one Houle, one company"—and they don't take it lightly.

While there is no specific exemption from the B.C. Carbon Tax for the construction industry, there are a few important issues and tax exemptions that may be noteworthy

SICA ran three separate comprehensive training programs for three groups between February 15th and March 24th for a total of 63 students.

With businesses adjusting to the era of the happy workplace, concepts such as social responsibility, company culture, and employee engagement are common buzz words used around the open-concept, flexible, shared workspace. They are used more so as companies shift their recruiting focus toward the millennials, the largest generation in the workforce today.

SICA recognizes the importance of creating a safe work culture by following the steps in the overall development of an Occupational Health & Safety Program.