Failed Up: Real Stories of Overcoming Construction Challenges
The Bike Lane Battle – Lessons from 20 years of implementing City of Vancouver’s Cycling Network
Join us for the launch of Failed Up, a groundbreaking event series where we dive deep into real-world stories of construction challenges—and how leaders turned failures into success.
For our first event, we’re tackling one of Vancouver’s most debated infrastructure programs: the Vancouver’s Cycling Network. Love it or hate it, this project changed the city’s landscape and sparked passionate debates across communities, businesses, and city council.
Special Guest
Lon LaClaire, General Manager, Engineering Services for the City of Vancouver. Having navigated urban transportation projects from 1997 to 2020, Lon will share behind-the-scenes insights, the tough calls, and the lessons learned from one of the city’s most controversial initiatives.
️Moderator
Pedram Farzadmanesh is the Founder and President of PFM Construction. Pedram brings years of hands-on experience in tackling construction challenges across civil infrastructure, utilities, and building projects. His deep industry insights will guide the conversation, diving into leadership lessons and the realities of managing high-stakes projects.
What to Expect
We’re kicking off this series in a private, intimate room at Steamworks Brewery—the perfect atmosphere for open conversations, networking, and connection. Space is limited, and this event will fill up fast, so don’t wait to book your spot!
Canapés and two drink tickets are included in your ticket price.
Thank you, McElhanney, Associated Engineering and Urban Systems for sponsoring this event.
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The Failed Up Series targets intermediate professionals in the BC Construction Industry (~8 - 20 years' experience). Our committee members are consultants, contractors and owners involved in some of the most prominent projects in our region. We look forward to meeting you.
On May 21st, the BC Construction Roundtable will host a roundtable discussion to support learning and dialogue between owners, consultants, general contractors and others in the construction industry on regulatory & permitting compliance challenges and lessons learned. Attendees will participate in table group discussions to provide input and inform the discussion. A facilitator and a recorder will be at each table to guide and to support the dialogue.
Table discussion themes will be documented and consolidated into white papers to be shared with attendees and BCCR members. A debrief and networking session will follow the table discussions. The ticket price includes two drinks tickets and canapes.
Table discussion facilitators include:
More info coming soon
Thank you, Fasken, for your generous sponsorship of this event!
Leveling Up Safety – A Legal Perspective and Case Study in Collaboration on Safety on YVR’s North Runway Rehabilitation Project
YVR’s concrete north runway, built in the early 1990’s, is in need of major strengthening and rehabilitation after decades of use from heavy widebody aircraft. As a 24/7 operation, YVR determined that the customer impact of a full closure of the runway would be too great so it was decided that the nominal 8” asphalt overlay (over 150,000 tonnes overall) would be constructed in nightly closures, six nights per week over a period of six months, with the runway re-opening every morning. Aviation is an industry built on safety and collaboration between multiple parties is crucial to deliver this project safely. Considerations include fatigue risk management for staff working night shifts, the coordination of multiple paving and heavy works crews, mental well-being and the need to have a safe operating surface for aircraft each day.
Hear how YVR and the General Contractor, Kiewit along with subcontractors, are working collaboratively together to develop and execute on a strategy that includes considerations around safety culture, the use of technology, intricate planning, working in an active runway environment, and a people first approach to carry out this work on critical infrastructure safely and efficiently.
These large projects also create compliance challenges, particularly around prime contractor responsibilities over multi-employer worksites, potential jurisdictional disputes, and dealing with increased risks of prosecution in the event of a serious incident or fatality. As projects get larger, so does the need for effective co-ordination and co-operation.
Join moderator Aaron Frost and panelists Daryl Calvert (YVR), Connor Fuller (Kiewit) and Graeme Hooper (Mitha Law Group) for an engaging and jam-packed discussion.
Panelists
Graeme Hooper, Associated Council at Mitha Law Group is a litigator focusing on workplace law, especially occupational health and safety. He represents employers before WorkSafeBC, the Federal Labour Program, and multiple tribunals, handling appeals, investigations, injunctions, and prosecutions. Graeme also seeks WCAT certifications in civil suits. A former clerk to British Columbia’s Chief Justices, he maintains a broad appeal practice spanning civil, family, criminal, and quasi‑criminal cases, and has appeared at every court level in B.C. His earlier roles in the public service—Ministry of Public Safety, WCB, Court of Appeal, and Legislative Assembly—equip him to navigate government for clients.
Connor Fuller, P.Eng. is a Project Manager at Kiewit with over 12 years of experience leading complex infrastructure projects across Western Canada. He is currently managing the YVR North Runway Rehabilitation Project. Previously, he oversaw a major segment of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, managing over 500 personnel and delivering ahead of schedule. Connor holds a BASc in Integrated Engineering from UBC. He also helped establish Kiewit’s Western Canada Wellness Committee, promoting mental, physical, and emotional well-being through events and initiatives that connect employees with wellness resources.
Moderator
Aaron Frost, OHST, is the Health and Safety Manager for Industrial Scaffold Services and the owner of QWEST Consulting Ltd. Aaron is a safety‑focused operations leader with 20+ years in oil & gas, mining, construction, and forestry. As Environmental Health & Safety Manager at Industrial Scaffold Services LP, he transforms safety culture and ensures regulatory compliance across Western Canada, delivering measurable gains in efficiency and workforce engagement. Honoured as the BC Forest Safety Council’s Safety MVP (2019) and backed by extensive emergency‑response expertise, he merges data analysis, project management, and strategic planning to align teams with corporate goals while minimizing risk. Aaron excels at uniting safety and operations to create resilient, high‑performance workplaces.
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