Vancouver Island Construction Conference highlights
O
n April 27, 2018, in the peak season of a record-setting year for building permits issued on Vancouver Island, more than 250 members of the local construction industry gathered at the Victoria Conference Centre. The Vancouver Island Construction Conference, née CCVI Capital Project Delivery Forum, has transformed from a dialogue between industry stakeholders to a traditional conference — complete with diverse breakout sessions, an esteemed keynote speaker and a closing reception for delegates and panelists to recap and wind down. The power fell into the hands of the delegates, as industry members selected breakout sessions deemed most relevant to their role within the construction sector. Sessions covered hot societal issues like “Marijuana in the Workplace,” “Affordable Housing” and “Creating a Cultural Shift”, as well more industry-specific panels such as “Procurement & Contract Negotiations” and “Resolving the Inevitable Construction Dispute.” Maynard Harry, founder of Indigenous Insight, and Drew Milton, a lawyer from Woodward & Co. LLP, spoke at the “Creating a Cultural Shift” workshop, discussing the importance of gathering Aboriginal perspectives on what to do
with land in British Columbia. According
“Entrepreneurship is lacking in First
to Milton, the province acts as though the
Nations communities,” Milton added.
land solely belongs to British Columbia.
“There must be equality in negotiations
“There is more than one culture in every room, [and] we want to get the view of the
from the start.” The “Affordable Housing” workshop
entire room,” he said, adding that there are
featured speakers from Chard
203 First Nations communities in British
Development, Townline, BC Housing and
Columbia alone, as well as more than 5,000
Greater Vancouver Housing, discussing
reserves in Canada. “Aboriginal leadership
how the for-profit and non-profit sectors
is evolving. These people are young,
can work together to build affordable
educated and socially motivated.”
housing.
Harry says Aboriginal employment is an
The panel covered topics such as
issue, so he recommended opportunities
financing programs; affordable condo
for partnership.
projects; rental housing; challenges of
“They can go to the CEO or president,
funding; difficulties with marketing; and
follow their protocol, be respectful,” he
workforce housing. Chard Development
suggested. “Approach them with something
discussed the uptick in stock — when
attractive to the community. Build trust
a renter buys, they open up a rental for
and be patient.”
another renter. Meanwhile, Townline
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