The Builders' Bench

Craig Larkins
  • 5.0 (1)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hosted by VRCA's Director of Advocacy, Craig Larkins, and presented in partnership with the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) and the BC Construction Association (BCCA), The Builders' Bench takes inspiration from the front bench in parliament. Take a seat on the bench as industry leaders, policy experts, and political insiders cut through the noise and break down the promises and policies shaping our industry.

  1. JAN 21

    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 break down what prefab really means, why Sweden builds at scale, and what Canada needs to change to build faster, smarter, and at the pace this moment demands. This episode of the Builders' Bench is brought to you in part by Pitt Meadows Plumbing – building iconic projects and elevating the industry through strong teams, partnerships, and advocacy.

    16 min

  2. JAN 14

    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 crunch. This episode is brought to you in part by Pitt Meadows Plumbing - building iconic projects and elevating the industry through strong teams, partnerships, and advocacy.

    13 min

  3. 2025-12-18

    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!

    15 min
  4. EP21: PermitsCA - The New Power Tool for B.C. Builders

    2025-11-20

    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. Fewer surprises. If you want to know where the work is headed before anyone else, this is the episode to tune into. Take a seat on the bench. This one's a game changer.

    10 min

  5. 2025-11-12

    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 needed to support it. They share what's encouraging in this year's budget and what's still needed to turn ambition into action - alongside Vancouver's ongoing efforts to modernize zoning, digital permitting, and its new city-wide Official Development Plan. Hosted by Craig Larkins, with VRCA President and guest co-host Jeannine Martin. Take a seat on the bench — where construction conversations happen.

    16 min

  6. 2025-11-05

    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 the numbers, and what builders need next. Progress on paper. Challenges on the ground. Take a seat on the bench - where construction conversations happen.

    17 min

  7. 2025-10-30

    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.

    14 min

  8. 2025-10-24

    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 focus on capital projects, and the challenges of balancing union and non-union interests in the construction sector. Joining host Craig Larkins on the bench: Louis-Philippe Champagne, Associate VP, Public Affairs – Canadian Construction Association and Sajjid Lakhani, Director – Impact Public Affairs.

    16 min
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About

Hosted by VRCA's Director of Advocacy, Craig Larkins, and presented in partnership with the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) and the BC Construction Association (BCCA), The Builders' Bench takes inspiration from the front bench in parliament. Take a seat on the bench as industry leaders, policy experts, and political insiders cut through the noise and break down the promises and policies shaping our industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Craig Larkins
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Builders' Bench