2022 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

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VICA’S VISION

Our vision is to be a leading advocate and the premier member-based association serving the construction sector on Vancouver Island.

VICA’S MISSION

Our mission is dedicated to promoting the interests of VICA Members as it provides its members with exceptional services and benefits.

CHAIR REPORT

CHRIS LYONS

Omicron Construction Ltd.

My term as Chair of the Vancouver Island Construction Association has spanned some trying but exciting times in our industry.

Through the recent years of global pandemic, the construction industry has remained strong and adapted to deal with the ever-evolving challenges presented by such unique circumstances. We can all feel proud of our industry, which through hard work and dedication, has remained resilient when other markets have not been as fortunate.

As we continue to address the lingering challenges of global pandemic, further difficulties arise. The now familiar reality of supply chain and labour shortages has been supplemented by high levels of inflation, increasing interest rates, and wider global unrest. Observing the perseverance of our industry this far, I am confident that the construction industry will not only survive, but continue to thrive, in the face of these new challenges and any future challenges to come.

In the latter half of my time as chair, pandemic restrictions loosened and we were able to meet in person again. As a result, Rory and the VICA staff jumped into action, conducting an unprecedented number of in-person social events throughout the summer. This allowed our members to get together and rebuild the personal relationships that make the Vancouver Island construction community what it is. WIC, U40 and YBN also revived in-person site tours and events for their members. I would like to personally thank the VICA staff, WIC, U40, and YBN for all the hard work involved in this and express my appreciation for how it has helped to reconnect our members.

VICA continues to offer top notch training opportunities and support programs. In addition to the many online courses made available through the pandemic, VICA is bringing back in-person courses for a more personal approach. The Construct Your Future (CYF) program, which focuses on bringing new workers into the construction industry, continues to thrive, while the Tailgate Toolkit Harm Reduction Project is rapidly gaining momentum. This program, which addresses the serious substance use problems in the construction industry, is now being offered across BC. Through training and support programs VICA is going above and beyond to address one of the biggest challenges in our industry: growing, retaining, and caring for our strained workforce.

I am proud to have served as chair of VICA through these unprecedented times. Rory, the VICA staff, and my fellow board members have all done a fantastic job of representing the members, and the needs of our industry. As I move on to the position of Past Chair, I am confident that the board members following me are prepared to guide VICA onto further success and ensure our members continue to receive the standard of service and representation that they expect and deserve.

THE VICA BOARD

provides leadership and guidance on behalf of the VICA Membership

CHAIR

Chris Lyons

Omicron Construction Ltd.

VICE-CHAIR

Kate Ulmer Herold Engineering Ltd.

PAST CHAIR

James Clapp Wilson M Beck Insurances Services

TREASURER

Stuart Cuthbert

Slegg Building Materials

SECRETARY

Barclay Ellis

Trades Labour Corporation

Victoria DIRECTORS

Paul Gray Farmer Construction

Mark Liudzius Kinetic Construction Ltd.

Scott Torry AFC Construction

Byron Tarby Makon Projects Ltd.

Chris Williams Houle Electric

Morley Wilkins

Method Chartered Professional Accounting

Allison Greaves

Durwest Construction Management

Jac-Lyn Mickelson

MGM Mechanical

Josh Fayerman

Milestone Equipment Contracting

Samer Akouri Harbour City Kitchens

CEO REPORT

RORY KULMALA Vancouver Island Construction Association

Another year has passed and also another year of challenges that went along with it. Although we weathered the COVID pandemic exceptionally well, we are now facing new challenges that are certainly making the business of construction precarious at best. With that said, I am pleased to advise that the Vancouver Island Construction Association has, in lock-step with you our membership, endeavored to support and promote the work that you all passionately do.

Its of no surprise that costs are up, labour is down and most companies are running at well over their normal capacity to keep up with demand. However, our membership continues to demonstrate exceptional resiliency and effort as it evolves itself in these dynamic times.

Understanding the needs of our membership has been the cornerstone of our focus and strategy. We have updated our strategic plan, and over the next three years, will focus heavily on our workforce. From training and education to health and wellness, VICA’s programing such as the Tailgate Toolkit and the Construct Your Future program continues to prove beneficial to our members and sector.

We continue to work closely with the BC Construction Association as they focus on provincial advocacy efforts such as Prompt Payment Legislation and promote the many services they offer such as the Integrating Newcomers, Builders Code and their Apprenticeship Services program. Similarly we continue to collaborate with the Canadian Construction Association as they address national issues that affect our construction community.

Looking ahead, I’m very optimistic that the construction economy will continue to thrive on Vancouver Island. With so much need for housing and infrastructure, the need for construction services in unlikely to wane; thus providing ample opportunities for new workers and a clear need to ensure our existing workforce is both heathy and capable.

We look forward to continuing to serve you.

TREASURER REPORT

STUART CUTHBERT Slegg Building Materials

2021/2022 has been another year of fiscal success at VICA. Naturally, as a not for profit organization, fiscal success is not necessarily measured in the same way that the majority of our member companies might view it. The VICA team once again proposed and executed on a balanced budget, resulting in a modest excess in revenues over expenses and therefore facilitating further contributions to the Capital Assets Fund and the Strategic Reserve Fund.

The 2021/2022 budget was developed at a time when we were still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic; vaccines were just starting to be rolled out, and there was significant uncertainty as to how we would be able to operate many of our revenue generating streams, specifically events and training. Once again the VICA team stepped up, adapted, and were able to respond accordingly to execute on the plan.

This consistent theme of financial responsibility shown over a number of years has enabled the organization to embark on the much-needed renovation project to the VICA offices in Victoria. These improved facilities will be yet another way that we can continue to show improved value to our members.

The 2021/2022 Fiscal Year Audit was presented to the Board of Directors by KPMG on September 29, 2022 and it was approved. My thanks go to Rory, the VICA CEO and the VICA staff, as well as the Board of Directors, and the Finance & Audit Committee. Their combined efforts have resulted in a successful 2021/2022 fiscal year and a strong foundation moving forward.

levels continue to remain steady at 469 member-companies. In comparison to previous years, the percentage of Industry-members joining the Association remains consistent, with Associate members fluctuating year over year. Industry-members are also represented by BC Construction Association and the Canadian Construction Association.

VICA

The Vancouver Island Construction Association is proud to a leader in providing industry-specific training for the local construction sector. Our expanding course catalogue features professional development opportunities for both office staff and on site staff working within the ICI & Multi-Residential construction industry. Our courses are Gold-Seal and CPD accredited, with a focus on project management, construction contract & law, leadership, and safety. We’re proud to have offered 231 courses in the 21/22 fiscal year, with VICA Members representing 83% of attendees. The “Live, Online” virtual-course format largely replaced in-person learning across the industry. This allows for greater flexibility for course attendees, while not pulling them away from on-site duties for multiple, full days at a time. For 21/22 all VICA courses were in the virtual format.

CONSTRUCT YOUR FUTURE PROGRAM

VICA’s Construct Your Future Program prepares young adults for an entry level job in the construction industry. Participants visit VICA Member job sites and learn about career paths, roles, responsibilities, and safety requirements.

For 21/22 we expanded the Construct Your Future program to our Nanaimo office, with funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education and the Integrated Training Authority (ITA). The CYF Program returned to in-person classroom in 21/22 after teaching virtually over the pandemic. Funding for the Nanaimo expansion concluded in March 2022.

INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT

For the 2021/22 fiscal year, VICA events were still limited by public health orders, hampering the amount of engagement opportunities.

TAILGATE TOOLKIT HARM REDUCTION INITIATIVE

The Tailgate Toolkit Project is an innovative program aimed at increasing access to harm reduction services and ideas for those working in the construction industry.

After successful partnerships with Island Health in 2017 & 2021, the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) is excited to expand their harm reduction program provincially, with the support of the Ministry of Mental Health & Addictions.

Through the generosity of our members, we were still able to raise over $10,000 for our Kids in Need program over the winter holiday season. Further, VICA Members donated over $5,000 to hospital foundations across the island to support healthcare workers.

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

WiC Victoria hosted nine events, ranging from fun socials to educational opportunities on relevant industry issues.

WiC Nanaimo was able to host two events in the 2021/22 fiscal, and is looking forward to resuming their event schedule for 2022/23.

YBN & U40

YBN hosted seven events in the 2021/22 fiscal year. Although the YBN group pushed their major fundraiser forward to the 22/23 fiscal, they were still able to raise money for Help Fill A Dream at their October 2021 event.

U40 Central Island will look to resume events in 2022/23.