On this special episode of The Construction Record Podcast, ConstructConnect director of news media Vince Versace and correspondent Warren Frey report from the 36th annual VRCA Awards of Excellence held in downtown Vancouver.

Vince and Warren discuss both the projects showcased, the current state of project building in B.C. and the legacy of the awards, created almost four decades ago by the Journal of Commerce.

We also have an interview with Vancouver Regional Construction Association president Jeannine Martin, who both celebrated the projects and people recognized at this year's awards but also reflected on current trends such as recovery from supply chain issues and the effect of tariffs on the industry.

Episodes of The Construction Record are available at the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites, on Libsyn and at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. Thanks for listening.

On a special Halloween episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey is joined by ConstructConnect director of news media Vince Versace and contributing writer Peter Kenter to discuss both ghost towns and participate in our annual horror film geek-out.

Peter has been crafting an article about ghost towns in both Canada and the U.S. and explains how abandoned places frozen in time can feel just as haunted as supernatural locales. Vince and Peter also discuss the phenomenon of "ghost cities" in China where entire neighbourhoods are built and unfilled and the eerie atmosphere of architectural styles frozen in time.

Warren, Peter and Vince also speak to both the latest horror films they've been watching and some classic horror they think deserves another viewing.

You can listen to our recent interview with VRCA president Jeannine Martin about the 2024 Awards of Excellence gala here. Our episodes are available at the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites, on Libsyn and at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Thanks for listening.

The Construction Economy Outlook: 2025 Starts Now

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On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey and daily news editor Lindsey Cole look at not only the 2024 Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) Awards of Excellence but also the leading stories in construction across Canada.

Lindsey spoke about the Ontario Building Trades convention covered by staff writer Don Wall, with a focus on the NextStar plant currently being built in Ontario, as well as coverage of RESCON's housing summit. Warren also talked about his recent story covering industry reaction to the recent B.C. election which as of publication still doesn't have a clear winner.

We also have a feature interview with VRCA president Jeannine Martin, who talked about the changes to this year's awards, including VRCA director of advocacy and engagement Craig Larkins co-hosting the event with Juno winning Vancouver comedian Ivan Decker. She also explained the Awards role in celebrating the Lower Mainland's construction industry and some of its biggest and most innovative projects.

You can listen to our recent interview with Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan (CIRP) executive director Vicki Waldron and Community Savings Credit Union vice-president of strategic partnerships Raj Khunkhun here. Our episodes are available at the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites, on Libsyn and at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Thanks for listening.

The Construction Economy Outlook: 2025 Starts Now

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On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan (CIRP) executive director Vicki Waldron and Community Savings Credit Union vice-president of strategic partnerships Raj Khunkhun about their partnership in deploying the Recovery Protection Program (RPP), which addresses the financial needs of those suffering mental health or substance use pressures and are going through CIRP's rehabilitation process.

Waldron said the impetus for the partnership was that a big barrier to people staying in treatment was their finances, which often were affected negatively by their mental health or substance use struggle and that the RPP allows them to focus on their recovery.

Khunkhun said Community Savings waives banking fees and postpones loans for three months, and noted there are regulatory restrictions on going further than that time period. He added they modeled their part of the initiative on a previous policy used to help workers on strike or in a lockout situation.

You can listen to our recent interview with Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) CEO Caroline Gumble here. Our episodes are available at the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites, on Libsyn and at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Thanks for listening.

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The Construction Economy Outlook: 2025 Starts Now

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) CEO Caroline Gumble about skilled trades recruitment and DEI initiatives in both the UK and North America.

Gumble explained the CIOB has existed for 190 years and stands for science, ethics and practice of the built environment. She detailed some of the ays the UK has encouraged diversity in hiring through the use of "blind CVs" where no personal information in included in a resume to discourage unconscious bais.

She also explained that while there are slight differences in terms of the makeup of the workforce in North America and the UK, both face the same demographic challenges of a looming wave of retirements with not enough workers ready to replace them.

You can listen to our recent interviews from the ICBA Construction Innovation Summit here. Our episodes are available at the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites, on Libsyn and at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Thanks for listening.

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The Construction Economy Outlook: 2025 Starts Now

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey has two interviews from the Independent Business and Contractors Association's (ICBA) 2024 Construction Innovation Summit.

The first interview is with BuildForce Canada executive director Bill Ferreira, who addressed attendees at a session called The State of the Construction Workforce - Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities, laying out the current and future labour trends affecting the industry.

Dusty Robotics CEO and co-founder Tessa Lau explained the cutting edge of automation in construction with a session titled "The State of Robotics in Construction - Today's Reality and Tomorrow's Possibilities" which looked at some of the technology on the horizon for one of the oldest industries in the world.

You can listen to our most recent podcast interview with urbanist, author and Creative Class Group founder Richard Florida here. Our episodes are available at the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites, on Libsyn and at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Thanks for listening.

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The Construction Economy Outlook: 2025 Starts Now

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with urbanist, author and Creative Class Group founder Richard Florida about a new report he's written about the need to revamp Toronto's waterfront.

Great Waterfront, Great City compares Toronto's development on its waterfront with other world-class cities such as Dubai, New York and London and points to how while residential and office development has gone forward, the area needs to draw in not only Torontonians but increase tourism to the city.

He added focusing on the tech sector, creating sports infrastructure and said Bily Bishop Airport which resides on the waterfront is key to expansion and bringing in international business and tourists.

You can listen to our most recent podcast with interviews with ICBA president Chris Gardner and BC Building Trades executive director Brynn Bourke about the B.C. election here. Our episodes are available at the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites, on Libsyn and at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Thanks for listening.

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Toronto's waterfront 'boring,' needs fun, attractions: Florida