'A perfect storm': Vancouver Island construction industry warns of significant delays and cost overruns
The success of Vancouver Island's construction industry might also be its post-pandemic downfall.
"I think we have what could be considered a perfect storm," said CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association, Rory Kulmala.
As the demand for large-scale developments boom, especially on southern Vancouver Island, the industry says major supply concerns and labour shortages will have an impact.
"That is going to reflect in itself much longer schedules and higher costs," Kulmala told CTV Vancouver Island on Tuesday.
The construction association says building permits for commercial, multi-residential and single-family homes have climbed year-over-year for the past half decade.
This year the association expects a 30 per cent increase in permits from 2020, which would represent a record year.
Multi-residential, or condo and apartment building permits, are the hottest sector.
Victoria city staff tell CTV News that the pace of major development applications in 2021 is the highest they have ever seen.
As demand booms, an already stressed sector will no doubt bend under the immense pressure.
This week, the Greater Victoria School District announced its Victoria High School redevelopment is far behind schedule.
"The school will open in September of 2023 instead of September of 2022," said Jim Soles, manager of Major Capital Projects for SD61.
Market forces have hit the large-scale seismic upgrade hard, pushing it a year behind its projected completion date.
"Trades cannot guarantee tight schedules because of a shortage of workers and the supply chain is causing problems," said Soles.
What does this all mean for the average Vancouver Islander?
Vancouver Island's Construction Association says work will not stop, but getting things done will likely take longer and hit your wallet harder.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.