PODCAST · news
The Builders' Bench
by Craig Larkins
The Builders' Bench – Take a seat on the bench – where construction conversations happen is VRCA's official podcast – a powerful platform that gives voice to the people and policies shaping construction.Hosted by Craig Larkins, VRCA's Director of Advocacy, The Builders' Bench takes inspiration from the front bench in parliament – where ideas are debated, issues are challenged, and real change begins.Each episode brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to cut through the noise and talk about what really matters — from workforce and permitting challenges to procurement, policy, and the future of nation building.
Episodes
-
EP43: Construction Update: The BC Election and Prompt Payment
The provincial election has been called, and B.C.'s construction industry is watching closely. What does the election mean for contractors, projects and investment across the province? What happens to the Construction Prompt Payment Act during the campaign, and could a change in government affect...
-
EP42: Show Me the ROI: Is Construction AI Actually Working?
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...
-
EP41: The Buyer-Seller Dance: Who Is Leading?
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...
-
EP40: Construction Caught in the Trade War - Update from Ottawa
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…
more -
EP39: Why Municipal Elections Matter to Construction
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...
-
EP38: Construction Meets Festival: Welcome to BUILDFest
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...
-
EP37: The origin story of the Tradeswomen calendar
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…
more -
EP36: What Happens When AI Joins the Project Team?
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…
more -
EP35: Construction's AI Reality Check
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....
-
EP34: Pain Support in the Trades: Help is Here
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...
-
EP33: Tailgate Toolkit: Leadership Training for the Jobsite
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...
-
EP32: Team Canada Strong – What Ottawa's Plan Means for Construction
*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))]...
-
EP31: Reality Check: The State of Construction in BC
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...
-
EP30: Built to Win: Inside the VRCA Awards of Excellence
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...
-
EP29: Power, Policy & Projects: What Builders Need to Know Now
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.
-
EP28: Building Resilient Teams: The Human Side of Construction
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...
-
EP26: BUILDEX 2026 Keynote Conversation: Where Politics Meets Construction
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...
-
EP25: From Policy to Projects: What the Future of Construction Looks Like
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...
-
EP24: Embracing Prefabrication: The Key to Solving Canada's Housing Crisis
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...
-
EP23: Building a Pipeline for the Future - Inside Youth Work in Trades Program
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…
more -
EP22: Builders' Bench - 2025 Wrapped: Politics, Promises, and Projects!
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!
-
EP21: PermitsCA - The New Power Tool for B.C. Builders
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.…
more -
EP20: Rebuilding Vancouver: Inside the City's New Playbook for Builders
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...
-
EP19: Budget 2025: Progress on Paper, Challenges on the Ground
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…
more -
EP18: B.C. by the Numbers: What the Fall Stat Pack Says About Building Our Future
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.
-
EP17: Ottawa's Big Spend: A Pre-Budget Breakdown - What's In It for Builders?
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...
-
EP16: Nation-Building Starts with Builders: A Conversation with CCA President Rod Gilbert
In this episode of Builder's Bench, Craig Larkins speaks with Rod Gilbert, President of the Canadian Construction Association, about the current state of construction in Canada. They discuss the challenges of nation building, workforce shortages, immigration policies, and supply chain pressures....
-
EP15: Tariffs, Acronyms, and the Carney Agenda - When the Rubber Hits the Road for Construction
New government acronyms, new offices, tariffs - and the rise of Prime Minister Carney's agenda. Joining host Craig Larkins on The Builders' Bench to break it all down are Louis-Philippe Champagne, AVP of Public Affairs & Industry Practices at the Canadian Construction Association, and Sajjid...
-
EP14: Prompt Payment has finally landed in B.C - but what does it really mean for builders?
Prompt Payment is finally here - but what does it really mean for BC's builders? We break it all down in a quick 15-minute conversation on The Builders' Bench with BCCA President Chris Atchison. - What's inside Bill 20 - the Construction Prompt Payment Act. - Who's covered and who's not - from...
-
EP13: Building B.C.'s Future: A Conversation with BC's Housing & Municipal Affairs Minister
B.C.'s new Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister, Christine Boyle, joins The Builders' Bench to talk permits, costs, collaboration and the path forward for builders. A candid first conversation on the future of housing and municipal engagement in B.C.
-
EP12: From Parliament to Projects: What Builders Need to Know: Bill C‑5, Tariffs & B.C.'s Cabinet Shuffle
Parliament may be on break, but the work doesn't stop for builders. On this new episode of The Builders' Bench, we dig into what's been cooking on the policy front from Bill C‑5 and tariff negotiations to trade talks and B.C.'s recent cabinet shuffle. Joining Craig Larkins on the bench this week...
-
EP11: Mandates, Money, & Momentum!
The government's in motion — PM Carney's leaner Cabinet is in place, the Throne Speech has landed, and one mandate letter is steering the whole ship. What does this mean for builders? We break it all down — from federal priorities to Bill C-5's game-changing impact on project delivery. Joining…
more -
EP10: Loud & Clear: Construction Spoke, Now What? LIVE Recording from VRCA's Construction Leadership Forum!
RECORDED LIVE AT VRCA'S Construction Leadership Forum on May 9, 2025 This isn't your average podcast episode - we took it live and in-person at VRCA's 2025 Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) in Whistler on May 9! Fresh off a federal election, we brought together the sharpest minds in…
more -
EP9: From Construction Sites to Question Period: A Builder in the Legislature
What happens when a former construction project manager becomes the Opposition Critic for Infrastructure and Construction? On this episode of The Builders' Bench, we sit down with MLA Misty Van Popta to talk bottlenecks, Bill 15, and building smarter in BC.
-
EP8: Building Bill 15 - Minister Bowinn Ma on What It Means for B.C.
In this special Builders' Bench episode, host Craig Larkins sits down with B.C.'s Minister of Infrastructure, Bowinn Ma, to unpack Bill 15 - the Infrastructure Projects Act. From permitting delays and project selection to industry involvement and long-term planning, this five-part conversation...
-
EP7: Post-Election Power Moves: What's Next for Construction?
The election is over, but the real work starts now. In our latest episode, we break down Prime Minister Mark Carney's first press conference, what to expect from the upcoming cabinet announcement and throne speech, and what it all means for construction. PLUS - we celebrate the success of the...
-
EP6: Federal Election Results & Reaction
🚨 Election 2025: The Results Are In – What's Next for Construction? Mark Carney's Liberals are back with a minority mandate. So what does it all mean for Canada's construction industry? In this special post-election episode of The Builders' Bench, host Craig Larkins breaks down the results with:...
-
EP5: Blueprint for the Ballot -What Matters Most to Construction
Episode 5 of The Builders' Bench is our final episode before Canadians head to the polls on April 28! This week, we're putting it all on the table. The platforms are in, the promises have been made - and now it's time to talk about what really matters to construction. We dig into: Infrastructure...
-
EP4: Crunch Time: Debates, Polls & Coast-to-Coast Construction Insights
Week 4 of the Federal Election = Crunch Time! With advance polls opening April 18 and two major leaders' debates happening this week, the campaign trail is heating up! In our latest episode, we head east to Atlantic Canada and back west to BC for a coast-to-coast check-in on what's driving the...
-
EP3: From Trade Wars to Ford Nation: Ontario's Election Impact
With advance polls opening on April 18, the pressure is on for parties to deliver and voters to be informed. This week on The Builders' Bench, we head to Ontario, the province with the most seats in Parliament, to unpack what's shaping the race so far. Joining Louis-Philippe Champagne, Associate…
more -
EP2: Voices Across Canada: Construction's Federal Moment
The cross-country conversation continues as we welcome Calgary's perspective to The Builders' Bench! Bill Black, President & CEO of the Calgary Construction Association, joins the Craig on the bench alongside: Louis-Philippe Champagne – AVP, Public Affairs & Industry Practices, CCA and Chris...
-
EP1: 1.6 Million Strong: The Construction Vote
The federal election has been called, and the race is officially on! With 1.6 million Canadians working in construction, our industry holds serious political power—if we make our voices heard. In this premiere episode of The Builders' Bench, host Craig Larkins is joined by top industry leaders to...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Builders' Bench – Take a seat on the bench – where construction conversations happen is VRCA's official podcast – a powerful platform that gives voice to the people and policies shaping construction.Hosted by Craig Larkins, VRCA's Director of Advocacy, The Builders' Bench takes inspiration from the front bench in parliament – where ideas are debated, issues are challenged, and real change begins.Each episode brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to cut through the noise and talk about what really matters — from workforce and permitting challenges to procurement, policy, and the future of nation building.
HOSTED BY
Craig Larkins
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Builders' Bench have?
The Builders' Bench currently has 42 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Builders' Bench about?
The Builders' Bench – Take a seat on the bench – where construction conversations happen is VRCA's official podcast – a powerful platform that gives voice to the people and policies shaping construction.Hosted by Craig Larkins, VRCA's Director of Advocacy, The Builders' Bench takes inspiration from...
How often does The Builders' Bench release new episodes?
The Builders' Bench has 42 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Builders' Bench?
You can listen to The Builders' Bench on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Builders' Bench?
The Builders' Bench is created and hosted by Craig Larkins.
URL copied to clipboard!