The Builders' Bench

Construction companies are investing in AI, but is it delivering real value or just adding another expensive tool to the tech stack? In this episode of The Builders' Bench , host Craig Larkins sits down with Nimrat Pahwa to separate AI hype from measurable results. They explore where AI is saving time and money, why some investments fail, what contractors should measure and the questions leaders n...

In this episode of The Builders' Bench, host Craig Larkins and Shams Hirani, President, Sandler by EleWin Consulting, break down the buyer-seller dance, the difference between sales and business development, and the moment sellers unknowingly give up control of the conversation. They explore why technical skill alone is not enough, and how attitude, behaviour and technique can make or break the re...

Tariffs are rising, counter-tariffs are coming and construction is caught in the middle. Host Craig Larkins sits down with Canadian Construction Association President Rod Gilbert for an update from Ottawa on what the escalating Canada-U.S. trade dispute means for contractors, projects and the cost of building. They break down what CCA is hearing from government, whether federal relief will be enou...

Municipal elections may not receive the same attention as federal or provincial campaigns, but the decisions made at city hall directly affect what gets built, how long it takes and what it costs. Host Craig Larkins sits down with UBC political science lecturer Stewart Prest to explore what's at stake in the upcoming municipal election, why local politics matters to construction and how voters can...

What happens when you combine the best parts of a construction tradeshow with the energy of a festival? You get BUILDFest. Host Craig Larkins sits down with VRCA Member Experience Manager Erin Wormald for a preview of this brand-new event for B.C.'s construction community. They unpack where the idea came from, what members can expect from the exhibitors, speakers and sponsors, and how the day will...

On this episode of the Builders' Bench, Craig Larkins catches up with Carly Steiman, founder of the Tradeswomen Calendar and Tradeswomen Exhibit, to look back at the impact so far and, more importantly, look ahead to 2027. They talk about the stories behind the calendar, why representation matters, what Carly has learned along the way, and how the construction industry can help inspire the next ge...

What will a day on a construction project look like in 2030? In Episode 2 of our Construction AI Reality Check series, we fast-forward to 2030 and imagine what happens when AI becomes part of the everyday project team. What tasks could disappear from a project manager's day? Will teams communicate differently? What skills will matter most? And as more of the administrative work becomes automated,...

AI is everywhere. Every conference. Every LinkedIn post. Every software demo. But beyond the headlines and hype, what does AI actually mean for construction? We're sitting down with industry experts to have honest, practical conversations about AI in construction. No buzzwords. No sales pitches. Just real conversations about what's changing, what's not, and what construction leaders should actuall...

In this episode of The Builders' Bench, Craig Larkins sits down to discuss new supports now available for tradespeople living with chronic pain, including the new confidential text support line and Pain BC's Trades and Pain Program. From peer support and coaching to workplace culture and prevention, this conversation explores how the industry is starting to better support the people who build our...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and in construction, this conversation is shifting from awareness to action. On this episode of The Builders' Bench, Craig Larkins sits down with Rose Olsen from the Tailgate Toolkit to talk about practical, jobsite-ready leadership training. Designed for construction supervisors, this training equips leaders with the tools to confidently talk about substance u...

Ottawa is making a big bet on construction. In its latest Spring Economic Update , the feds rolled out some serious spending, including $6 billion for Team Canada Strong to bring in up to 100,000 skilled trades workers , plus a new $25 billion sovereign wealth fund and a majority government now in place to push it forward. All of this is happening against a backdrop of global uncertainty, rising f...

B.C.'s Budget 2026 is out. The latest BCCA Stat Pack and industry survey are in. And the picture for construction in BC is anything but simple. In this episode of the Builders' Bench, Craig Larkins sits down with BCCA President Chris Atchison for a straight-up reality check on the industry. From project delays and shifting government priorities to workforce shortages, rising costs, and what contra...

Host Craig Larkins sits down with VRCA President Jeannine Martin to break down what makes the VRCA Awards of Excellence such a defining moment for the industry. From new award categories to the stories behind the projects, this is a look at the people, teams, and work setting the standard across the Lower Mainland. Thinking about submitting? This episode might be your push.

In this rapid-fire edition of The Builders' Bench, we break down the latest from Ottawa and Victoria, from majority ambitions and byelections to new procurement legislation, credit downgrades, and job losses. Take a seat on the bench with us.

In this episode of The Builders' Bench , Host Craig Larkins sits down with Angelo Suntres, founder of The Human Side of Construction , to explore what it takes to build strong, high-performing teams in today's industry. From leadership and culture to mental wellness and psychological safety, this conversation highlights how investing in people is driving better projects and stronger crews. Angelo...

Recorded live at BUILDEX on February 11, 2026 Federal uncertainty. Provincial ambition. Municipal power. This live Builders' Bench conversation dives into the policies and political shifts shaping construction right now. We cover tariffs, the "build baby build" push, BC's Infrastructure Projects Act, prompt payment wins, and why the upcoming municipal election may define how we build for the next...

The budget is big. The numbers are louder. But what do they actually mean for construction? On the latest episode of The Builders' Bench , host Craig Larkins sits down with Louis-Philippe Champagne from the Canadian Construction Association to cut through the data and focus on what matters. From permits and labour to the build, baby, build push, this episode breaks down what's coming, what could s...

In this week's episode, we explore the incredible potential of prefab to transform the industry and tackle the housing shortage.   Craig Larkins sits down with Craig Mitchell, Partner and Project Manager at 720 Modular and former VRCA Board Chair, fresh off a tour of Sweden's prefab factories. They break down what prefab really means, why Sweden builds at scale, and what Canada needs to change to...

What if the path to a skilled trade started before graduation? Host Craig Larkins is joined by Mark Reid from the Vancouver School Board to explore Youth Work in Trades, a program connecting students to paid apprenticeships early, supporting families, and helping industry tackle the labour crunch. This episode is brought to you in part by Pitt Meadows Plumbing - building iconic projects and elevat...

A year of political shakeups, big promises, and nation-building talk. Host Craig Larkins and Sajjid Lakhani from Impact Public Affairs unpack what it all means for builders as British Columbia heads into a critical municipal election year. Take a seat on the bench with us!

On this episode of The Builders' Bench, Craig sits down with Sue Connors and Adam Addlestone from the BC Construction Association (BCCA) to break down PermitsCA - a new tool giving builders real-time visibility into permit activity across B.C. What does it mean? Smarter bids. Better planning. Fewer surprises. If you want to know where the work is headed before anyone else, this is the episode to t...

In this episode, the federal budget has dropped  and with billions promised for housing and infrastructure, the City of Vancouver is watching closely. We hear from the City's planning leaders on why federal investment is critical to unlocking non-market (affordable) housing and the infrastructure needed to support it. They share what's encouraging in this year's budget and what's still needed to t...

In this episode, the Federal Budget 2025 dropped with bold promises - billions for infrastructure, housing, and nation-building. But can Ottawa turn ambition into action? Host Craig Larkins sits down with Louis-Philippe Champagne (CCA) and Sajjid Lakhani (Impact Public Affairs) to unpack what's the numbers, and what builders need next. Progress on paper. Challenges on the ground. Take a seat on th...

In this episode, the latest BCCA Stat Pack just dropped - and the results might surprise you. From job surges to permits, BCCA President, Chris Atchison, joins The Builders' Bench to discuss what's really happening behind the numbers.

In this episode, we break down Prime Minister Carney's recent budget-themed speech. They analyze the potential impacts on the construction industry, the upcoming budget expectations, and the political dynamics of a minority government.  The conversation highlights the need for skilled workers, the focus on capital projects, and the challenges of balancing union and non-union interests in the const...