The Build the North Conference entered its second and final day Thursday, April 10 at the Civic Centre.
The venue was bustling with industry representatives, professionals and managers who gathered to discuss, network and advocate for the construction sector in British Columbia.
Day 2 featured speakers such as Rodrigue Gilbert, president of the Canadian Construction Association, who provided economic insights, and Chris Atchison, president of the British Columbia Construction Association.
Atchison touched on a range of topics related to the construction industry, including its advancements, challenges and relationship to the province.
One of the key points he emphasized was the significant role Northern BC plays in the industry.
“There’s still $331 billion worth of projects that are underway or planned in the province of British Columbia,” said Atchison. “That’s a significant amount of infrastructure and building investment continuing to come our way. We break this down regionally as well, and there’s a portion specific to the North that makes up $150 billion. That’s 45 per cent of the total projected spend, according to BuildForce and BC Stats, either already underway or coming to this region.”
The Citizen later spoke with Atchison, who expanded on the North’s growing importance in the sector.
“The region represented by the Northern Regional Construction Association (NRCA) is the largest in Canada served by a local construction association,” he said. “We’re only going to see more development, more population growth and more industries emerging. I think the future is bright for Prince George and for communities in the northeast and northwest of our province. We’ll see more buildings, more housing and more industry opportunities. I look forward to continuing our work with the NRCA and supporting them, along with all builders across BC.”
Atchison also addressed a persistent issue facing construction companies across the province: Delayed payments.
Citing a 2025 industry survey, he said 91 per cent of construction companies reported receiving late payments, while 69 per cent said they were not paid at all.
“I think this problem has always existed,” said Atchison. “But now people are becoming more comfortable speaking out, and acknowledging that this has been allowed to continue in B.C. — at the expense of those who can least afford it, yet are still expected to deliver on the projects they’re building.”
Atchison is a strong advocate for payment-certainty legislation, which he believes will usher in the next phase of robust building in the province.
He added that he hopes attendees at Build the North leave with a sense of assurance that his association is actively advocating and fighting on their behalf.
