On November 17th, the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth released the Look West strategic plan that:  

• “Sets a 10-year vision to strengthen B.C. and Canada’s economy and grow key industries; 
• Aims to secure $200 billion in private sector investment in major projects over the next decade; and 
• Doubles skilled trades training funding by 2028-29.” 

One of the targeted sectors under the strategy is construction innovation. The Province wants to “… create a hub for advanced building technologies,” to reshape “… construction by scaling up factory-built wood-based solutions to unlock new growth and trade opportunities …”. They have a ten-year target of “Tripling the Amount of B.C. Wood Used in Construction.”  

The Government will be developing a Construction Action Plan “… to support the shift to industrialized construction and stabilize costs …,” with three objectives: 

1. “Boost productivity through factory-based construction using low-carbon wood systems, such as mass timber and prefabricated panels, enabling faster, cleaner, and more efficient building.” 
2. Simplify processes by reducing regulatory and permitting friction, and aligning procurement, financing, and insurance systems with industrialized approaches to accelerate project delivery. 
3. Leverage provincial advantages by strengthening supply chains, expanding digital tools, and tapping into regional knowledge of manufacturers, workforce, and market demand.” 

The Province will also continue to leverage Federal programs to support their changes in the construction sector, including the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative and Build Canada Homes. They also note the new Defence Investment Agency that “… is overseeing more than $60 billion in upcoming infrastructure and procurement projects, which presents significant opportunities for B.C.’s construction sector, particularly in sustainable building systems, prefabrication, and regional supply chain development.”