News release June 21, 2018 – Gatineau, Quebec – Government of Canada The Government of Canada is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for construction workers, Canadians and our federal public infrastructure. Today, Steven MacKinnon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services…

As you’ve heard, BC One Call, Alberta One-Call, and ClickBeforeYouDigMB (Manitoba), are cutting over to PelicanCorp software later this year. All provinces are inviting damage prevention stakeholders to keep informed of developments and our collective pathway to a successful November 30th cutover by following the www.BeforeYouDigPartners.com…

April 28 has been designated the national Day of Mourning, a time when we all come together to remember those who have lost their lives due to work-related incidents or occupational diseases. Last year 158 workers died as a result of their work. Sadly, in…

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 25th, 2018 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at: BC Hydro – Presentation Centre 333 Dunsmuir Street Vancouver, BC The Agenda and minutes from last year are available for your reference.  The agenda includes a list of Stakeholder…

April is HERE!  Help us to promote DigSafe Month…. April is once again National DigSafe Month, the time of year when all Common Ground Alliance stakeholders come together to communicate how important it is that professionals and homeowners call before they dig and follow the safe digging process to help…

Bill S-229 has not been yet passed First Reading; however, the bill and its contents remains very much in play. The CCGA Executive Director, Mike Sullivan, continues to meet with all departments and Ministries that would be affected by the Bill – Pubic Services &…

Today’s Lythism –> How can we possibly seek to understand ‘safety’ at work if we don’t know anything about the psychology of risk or how people’s minds work? Please share this opportunity with your colleagues, members and anyone else you think might be interested or could…

In partnership with WorkSafeBC, please join BCCSA on Thursday, April 19th at Trev Deeley Motorcycles for their Occupational Disease Symposium for a full day of learning from industry professionals on a variety of topics, including: Asbestos, Sun, Lead and more. Full- buffet breakfast and lunch…

Join CAPULC at their 2018 AGM and Safety Conference ~ Registration is FREE and seats are limited. All registrations include meals. When:  April 26, 2017 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Welcome Reception and Networking Event. April 27, 2018, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm –…

Liberals say they will also announce new protections for oceans, lakes and rivers By John Paul Tasker, CBC News  | Posted: Feb 08, 2018 4:00 AM ET The federal Liberal government says it will streamline the approval process for major natural resources projects, scrapping the National Energy Board…

The S-229 microsite promoting bill S-229, and QUICK electronic process for any Canadian to show their support to their Member of Parliament, is now LIVE – www.icandigsafe.ca  and it’s EASY! To date we only have 25 letters….please support this very important federal legislation. Do you…

Please be advised that our next Member and Board Meetings will be held on January 31, 2018 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm in the BC Hydro offices at 333 Dunsmuir Street in Vancouver.  The agenda for the day is attached. YOU MUST RSVP to cheryl@commongroundbc.ca if you…

Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be offering the 3 day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course in Cloverdale! $550+GST/per Student and seats are filling up fast! Course details can be found on the KPU web page –> http://www.kpu.ca/cps/wastewater/safety-courses If you are interested please register at the KPU website at:http://www.kpu.ca/cps/wastewater/registration Or contact Ron at ronald.enns@kpu.ca or…

One of the CCGA’s objectives over the past 18 months has been to participate on the CSA Z663 Technical Committee for the development of a CSA Z663 – Land Use Planning in the Vicinity of Pipeline Systems. This Standard’s history dates back to a document…

We are once again pleased to submit this year’s ‘BCCGA Report To Members’ on behalf of our Board of Directors. This report provides a summary of the main successes that have taken place throughout the 2017 calendar year in relation to our new strategic priorities.…

Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be offering the 3 day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course in Kelowna! $550+GST/per Student and seats are filling up fast! Course details can be found on the KPU web page:  http://www.kpu.ca/cps/wastewater/safety-courses If you are interested please register at the KPU website at: http://www.kpu.ca/cps/wastewater/registration Or contact Ron at ronald.enns@kpu.ca or…

British Columbians are at serious risk when underground infrastructure such as buried gas lines, pipelines or hydro lines are struck or damaged because building contractors, homeowners and other excavators are not aware of the lines’ precise locations before digging.  In BC, there are over 2,000…

We have a new website!  Check us out at www.commongroundbc.ca and let us know what you think!

Please be advised that our next Member and Board Meetings will be held on October 26, 2017 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm in the BC Hydro offices at 333 Dunsmuir Street in Vancouver.  The agenda for the day is attached. YOU MUST RSVP to cheryl@commongroundbc.ca if you…

The 12th Annual “Bridging the Gap”Construction Safety Conference & Trade Show will be at the Italian Cultural Centre on October 26th and 27th. Learn about: Health and Safety From the WorkSafe BC Board of Directors Perspective COCA – Purpose and current initiatives Determining OHS Related Priorities Leveraging your…

The National Energy Board (NEB) has issued a new guidance document – Damage Prevention Guidance for Municipal Operations and Maintenance Activities. The NEB – Press Release is available. The new guidance document is posted on the NEB website in the Safety and Environment tab, in the Damage…

WorkSafeBC has produced a new safety resource about constructing pipelines that may be of interest to your audiences. The Pipeline Construction Inspection Guide is aimed at helping employers, owners and workers understand the key health and safety requirements for pipeline construction operations. Alongside a glossary of…

For companies who disturb the ground in any way, our BC Ground Disturbance Seminar is important. We all want to stop hits on underground infrastructure and keep you, the public and the environment safe. Register for our upcoming Workshops: Thursday November 23, 2017 ~ Ramada Hotel, Kelowna…

The Capital Region Board is hosting a Regional Energy Corridors Forum for those involved in the planning, siting, acquisition and implementation of energy corridors in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.  Check out the Save the Date Energy Corridors Stakeholders Forum attachment and mark your calendars for January…

Event Start: September 19, 2017 Event End:   September 21, 2017 Location:     Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre, Ottawa, Ontario Be a part of Canada’s unified damage prevention voice at this event that attracts members from the many Canadian organizations and associations who share the…

Don your finest suits, dresses and head toppers (or just wear shorts!) and join us on Friday, August 18th at the Hastings Race Course for our first ever Racing for Safety Social Event… …which will, undoubtedly, include Beer (for Safety). Friday Nights at Hastings includes Live…

Centre for Advancement of Trenchless Technologies (CATT), Benjamin Media Inc. (BMI) and North American Society of Trenchless Technology BC Chapter (NASTT BC) are pleased to announce the 2017 Trenchless Technology Road Show. The event will take place on September 25-27, 2017 in Richmond, BC at…

Feedback being sought by the LMG on a one-page infographic – Draft Infographic. The NEB is developing a one page infographic to help explain key components of the Damage Prevention Regulations.  Before publishing the document, they would appreciate your feedback on the attached draft.   All…

One of the hurdles faced in the effective damage prevention quest is the ability to enforce and penalize. The CCGA’s damage prevention white paper acknowledges the critical importance of effective enforcement in the overall damage prevention process. Getting there, however, is an ongoing challenge. This tragic…

Plan your Work & Work your Plan. Don’t Call, Click Before You Dig! It’s easy, fast and you’ll never wait to speak with an agent again. ClickBeforeYouDig.com or BConeCall.ca

Please be advised that our next Member and Board Meetings will be held on June 21, 2017 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm in the BC Hydro offices at 333 Dunsmuir Street in Vancouver.  The agenda for the day is attached (fixed the link). YOU MUST RSVP to cheryl@commongroundbc.ca…

Selfie with a Grey Cup happening this Saturday!!! Join us on location to cheer for safe excavation with the Grey Cup! GardenWorks at 6250 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby 11 am to 3 pm   Make sure to stop by GardenWorks, where FortisBC and BC One Call…

BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist Course in Surrey at the KPU Tech Cloverdale Campus – May 29-31 Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be offering the 3 day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course at KPU Tech 5500 – 180th Street, Surrey, BC. $550+GST/per student and seats are filling up…

The Betty Spalton Trust Fund was established in 1999 to provide financial support to individuals obtaining educations in the fields associated with the road building and heavy construction industries.  As one of the goals of this fund is to encourage diversity in the industry, preference…

The Senate of Canada voted last week to adopt Bill S-229, An Act respecting underground infrastructure safety, on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 following its third reading. The bill, which was introduced by Senator Grant Mitchell in September, will now proceed to the House of Commons where, if…

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 26th, 2017 from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm at: BC Hydro – Presentation Centre 333 Dunsmuir Street Vancouver, BC The Agenda and Minutes from last year are available for your reference.  The agenda includes a list of Stakeholder Seats…

CEPA Tree Planting Event-Port Coquitlam The Damage Prevention and Public Awareness Work Group have sponsored Trees Canada, which has selected five locations across Canada to plant 1,250 trees. At each tree planting location, member companies will invite employees to help plant trees. Please share these invitations…

The National Energy Board (NEB) is launching a one-year pilot program to make a key safety standard, known as CSA Z662 – Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems (CSA Z662), available online to the public free of charge. CSA Z662 is incorporated by reference in the National Energy Board…

The BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course will be running in Kamloops at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).  Kwantlen Polytechnic University, with permission from BCCGA, is running the ULS course and there are 5 spots left. For more information or if you know someone who would like to take…

For companies who disturb the ground in any way, our BC Ground Disturbance Seminar is important. We all want to stop hits on underground infrastructure and keep you, the public and the environment safe. Register for our upcoming Workshops: Tuesday, February 28nd, Saanich Fairground –>  Saanich Postcard…

BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist Course in Surrey at the KPU Tech Cloverdale Campus – Feb. 28 – Mar. 2 Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be offering the 3 day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course this Feb. 28 – Mar. 2 at KPU Tech 5500 – 180th Street, Surrey, BC.…

The Alberta Common Ground Alliance is hosting their Dig Safe Events in Red Deer, Alberta on April 3 and 4th. Day 1: Supervisory Level Ground Disturbance Training Day 2: Dig Safe Conference Theme: Prioritizing Safety in Challenging Times For more information and to register visit:…

The BCCGA has been working with our stakeholders, the public, the provincial government, and our common ground alliance partners to protect the health and safety of our workers as well as the environment. We have been working closely with our elected officials, at all levels,…

Please be advised that our next Member and Board Meetings will be held on February 8, 2017 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm in the BC Hydro offices at 333 Dunsmuir Street in Vancouver.  The agenda for the day is attached. We will be reviewing our Strategic Priorities…

Ground disturbers – excavating contractors, road crews,  public works crews, landscapers, fence installers, sign companies, farmers, homeowners and anyone else who breaks ground – are invited to learn more about keeping themselves and their communities safe by following proper ground disturbance procedures. 2017 Breakfast Series: February 21st —…

We are once again pleased to submit this year’s ‘BCCGA Report to our Members and Partners’ on behalf of our Board of Directors. This report provides a summary of the main successes that have taken place throughout the 2016 calendar year in relation to our…

Burnaby, BC, December 8, 2016– The BC One Call (BCOC) Board of Directors issued an RFP for a contact centre services provider in June 2016 and is very pleased to advise they have awarded the contract to Alberta One Call (AOC) October 7, 2016. BCOC…

Bill S-229 has moved to the Committee stage! It will now be studied by the Senate Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Senator Richard Neufeld’s made a speech in support of Bill S-229. –> http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/Sen/Chamber/421/Debates/083db_2016-12-06-e.htm#43

See the full agenda and register for our BC Ground Disturbance Seminar NOW! Booth space is available too!  Contact Global Training Centre for details.

Join BCCGA for their annual Christmas cheer at the Enchant Christmas Market! http://enchantchristmas.com/christmas-market.  Date: Thursday, December 8 Time: 5:00 PM Location: Enchant Christmas Market, W 1st Ave & Crowe Street (Between Cambie Street Bridge and Olympic Village), Vancouver, BC. Walking distance from the Olympic Village…

Webinar on BCIT Computing Student Projects – How to Get Students Working for You? Thursday, November 24, 2016 – 11:00 – 11:45 am PST Think you might have a good IT or software development project for BCIT Computing students and want to learn more about…

Senator Mitchell rose in the Senate October 4, 2016 and moved the second reading of Bill S-229. Click Here to read his speech.  You can read more about information about the status of the bill from the Canadian Common Ground Alliance. Click Here to read a recent…

Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be offering the 3 day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course this November 15, 16 & 17 at KPU Tech 5500 – 180th Street, Surrey, BC. $550+GST/per Student and seats are filling up fast! Course details can be found on the KPU web page;  http://www.kpu.ca/cps/wastewater/safety-courses http://www.kpu.ca/cps/wastewater/scheduled-courses…

Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be offering the 3 day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course this November 15,16 & 17 at KPU Tech 5500 – 180th Street, Surrey, BC. Course details can be found on the EOCP web link at: http://www.trainingregistry.eocp.ca/get/showCourseDetails.php?CourseNum=8240  If you are interested please register at the…

The 11th Annual Bridging the Gap Conference & Trade Show targeted at Construction Safety will be held on October 27th and 28th at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver. Register Now!

The Canadian Common Ground Alliance harmonized Best Practices version 2.0 was launched at the CCGA Damage Prevention Symposium on October 19th. We will be getting a limited number of printed copies, but if you are interested in an electronic version, click here!

2015 Gas Code Training is available through BC Safety Authority (BCSA) this Fall. There are 3 options to choose from:  1.    Online videos Cost: Free Available through BCSA’s Online Learning Centre (learn.safetyauthority.ca) end of September Video Features: Choose which modules to watch, or watch them…

Please click THIS LINK to read Senator Mitchell’s speech delivered this past Tuesday in the Senate. BCCGA will be hosting a forum with Senator Mitchell and Mike Sullivan from the Canadian CGA onOctober 12th in Vancouver at the Morris J. Wosk Centre of Dialogue, Room 420 at 580 W Hastings…

Congratulations to the Integrated Water Services division at the Capital Regional District for winning the City of Excellence Gold Standard award for the second year in a row.  This group of workers has ensured worker and public safety through excellent ground disturbance practices in and…

Following several months of review with stakeholders, including a transparent comment period in early 2016, the Underground Infrastructure Safety Enhancement Act was tabled by Senator Grant Mitchell in the Senate on September 29, 2016. BCCGA will be hosting a forum with Senator Mitchell and Mike Sullivan…

Please be advised that our next Member and Board Meetings will be held on October 12, 2016 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm in the Morris J. Wosk Centre of Dialogue, Room 420 at 580 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1L6.   The agenda for the day is attached. From…

The Western Canada 2015 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report provides detailed analyses and recommendations pertaining to the submitted buried asset damage event reports in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. DIRT is the result of the efforts of the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) to gather…

The CCGA Damage Prevention Symposium is less than 2 months away….Register Now! The Fourth Annual Canadian Common Ground Alliance Damage Prevention Symposium will return to beautiful Banff, Alberta, October 18-20, 2016, including a keynote address by Rex Murphy! This event will focus on critical issues…

Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of BC and Kwantlen Polytechnic University are hosting the next Utility Locator Specialist Course. The first responsibility of anyone involved in ground disturbance projects is to locate and mark the location of buried pipes, cables, etc. BC’s extensive underground utility…

Your Opinion Matters! The National Energy Board has brought new Damage Prevention Regulations into law and are asking Canadians for input into the engagement strategies that would be the best ways to reach relevant parties about these new Regulations. As part of these efforts, the…

Racing for Safety Social Event – August 26th, Hastings Raceway, Vancouver – rsvp to cheryl@commongroundbc.ca Fourth Annual Canadian Common Ground Alliance Damage Prevention Symposium – October 18-20, Banff, Alberta 11th Annual Bridging the Gap Conference & Trade Show — October 27th and 28th, Italian Cultural Centre,…

Don your finest suits, dresses and head toppers (or just wear shorts!) and join us on Friday, August 26th at the Hastings Race Course for our first ever Racing for Safety Social Event… …which will, undoubtedly, include Beer (for Safety). Friday Nights at Hastings includes Live…

CSA Group will be developing a standard on Land Use Planning for Pipelines starting this fall and is outreaching to all stakeholders to gauge interest in participating on a new CSA Committee. A CSA workshop was held on May 26, 2016, to discuss this topic…

The summer 2016 edition of the Damage Prevention Professional (DPP), with a bunch of Canadian content, is now available.   The following Canadian articles appear in the DPP: Federal One Call Legislation – a Step towards New Provincial Legislation (BC focused article) A half-page advertisement for…

Please note for your calendars –> we have invited Senator Mitchell to our October meeting and he is not available on October 5th so we have moved the meeting to October 12th.  Location will be determined.

Event Start: October 18, 2016 Event End:   October 20, 2016 Location:     Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta This event will focus on critical issues specific to Canadian stakeholders. This is an excellent opportunity to network with your peers from across Canada and share…

The Government of Canada has set up a Ministerial Panel to hear from Canadians on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. As part of these engagement efforts, the Government of Canada has launched an online questionnaire for Canadians to submit their feedback on the project. The…

BC One Call Limited is a not-for-profit corporation established for the purposes of increasing public and worker safety, and reducing damage to underground infrastructure within the province of British Columbia. BC One Call is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to obtain a contact centre operator that will be…

As of 19 June 2016 the National Energy Board Pipeline Crossing Regulations, Parts I & II are repealed and are replaced  by the National Energy Board Regulations for Pipeline Damage Prevention which come into force on 19 June 2016. Please find attached the following documents:…

Please be advised that our next Member and Board Meetings will be held on June 22, 2016 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm in the BC Hydro offices at 333 Dunsmuir Street in Vancouver.  The agenda for the day is attached. We have two special presentations ~ Bryce…

BC Safety Authority’s 2015 Annual Report has been published, and we invite you to have a read. This report provides an overview of BCSA’s operational and financial performance in relation to targets set in the organization’s 2016-2018 Business Plan  and in alignment with BCSA’s 10-Year…

The BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course will be running on June 8, 9 & 10th in Kamloops at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).  Kwantlen Polytechnic University, with permission from BCCGA, is running the 3 day ULS course and there are a few spots left. For more information or…

The BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course will be running on June 8, 9 & 10th in Kamloops (Location TBA). Kwantlen Polytechnic University, with permission from BCCGA, is running the ULS course and there are 7 spots left. For more information or if you know someone who would like…

Data informs nearly every aspect of BCCGA’s operations and industry recommendations. From the formation and publication of our Best Practices manual to public awareness efforts, BCCGA’s Data Reporting & Evaluation program touches every aspect of damage prevention. The program collects critical information, allows us to…

We are pleased to share with you the BC Safety Authority’s 2015 State of Safety Report, a comprehensive overview of BCSA’s activities and information analysis, including data on installation and operating assessments, incident investigations, as well as research and enforcement activities.  The report is designed to…

Registration Now Open! Dates: October 18-20, 2016 Location: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta Registration is LIMITED The fourth annual Canadian Common Ground Alliance Damage Prevention Symposium is returning to beautiful Banff, Alberta. Meet with fellow industry stakeholders to discuss critical issues affecting Canada’s buried infrastructure. This…

BC Safety Authority is hosting its 2nd Electrical Conference in Langley June 8th Protective Equipment – How Codes & Regulations are Keeping Us Safe. A variety of guest speakers are joining us, including: Jeff Bosch (Littelfuse) Bill Simpson (on behalf of CSA) Sunny Ghataurah (AES…

April 27, 2016 – BCCGA Executive Director Dave Baspaly & M.J. Whitemarsh, Senior Consultant, were acknowledged in the BC Legislature’s Gallery today as the Members were told that  April is Dig Safe Month across Canada and here in BC – a campaign reminding us to ‘CLICK…

On behalf of Public Works and Government Services Canada: Are you interested in supplying or subcontracting with the federal government? Have you had issues obtaining an appropriate security clearance? You’re invited to attend a free Security Clearance information session hosted by The Office of Small and…

The BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course will be running on April 26, 27 & 28th at the CLAC Training Centre in Langley. Kwantlen Polytechnic University, with permission from BCCGA, is running the first ULS course and there are 6 spots left. For more information or if you know…

Abbotsford on April 19th —  Register online here!  Deadline is April 17th. Naniamo on April 22nd — Register online here!  Deadline is April 20th. Steve Howe will be speaking about his experience at both events. EECOL Electric & Radiodetection Underground Utilities Locate Systems will be conducting “The Fundamentals of Underground Utilities, Cable…

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on April 20, 2016  from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm at: BC Hydro – Presentation Centre 333 Dunsmuir Street Vancouver, BC The Agenda and Minutes from last year are available for your reference.  The agenda includes a list of Stakeholder Seats that…

On April 28, 2016, WorkSafeBC, the BC Federation of Labour, and the Business Council of British Columbia will co-host an annual Day of Mourning ceremony in downtown Vancouver at Jack Poole Plaza. Day of Mourning ceremonies have been held across the country ever since the…

April 2016 is once again be National DigSafe Month, the time of year when all Common Ground Alliance stakeholders come together to communicate how important it is that professionals and homeowners call before they dig and follow the safe digging process to help prevent injuries, property damage and…

Please share this message with all of your members, customers and contacts… REGISTER NOW! We want to buy you breakfast! Anyone planning to dig, anywhere in the province—excavating contractors, road crews, landscapers, fence installers, sign companies, farmers and homeowners—should know how to dig safely and…

Registration is now LIVE for the BC Construction Safety Alliance May 3, 2016 Vancouver Regional Event.  Date: Tuesday May 3, 2016 Time: 7:30am – 9:00am (registration opens at 6:30am with hot buffet breakfast being served at 7:00am) Location: Trev Deeley Motorcycles – 1875 Boundary Road, Vancouver…

The Pipeline Safety Act (Bill C-46) received royal assent on18 June 2015, and makes amendments to the National Energy Board Act (NEB Act) that will be in force within one year. Due to the Pipeline Safety Act amendments to the NEB Act (sections 2 and…