First Notice: New B.C. cabinet; Yukon First Nations agreement; and Ximen completes portal construction

Horgan announces new cabinet

B.C. Premier John Horgan has announced his new cabinet including some changes of interest to the construction industry. Rob Fleming has been moved from the education portfolio to become minister of transportation and infrastructure. The new finance minister is Selina Robinson and Harry Bains is minister of labour. Anne Kang is minister of advanced education, skills and training and Bruce Ralston is the minister responsible for energy, mines and low carbon innovation. George Heyman is the minister of environment and climate change strategy.

SFU Surrey campus gets LEED Gold certification

A building on Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Surrey, B.C. campus has been awarded LEED Gold certification in recognition of its sustainable design and operation. The building, located adjacent to the Surrey main campus building, was designed by Revery Architecture (formerly Bing Thom Architects and conceived by the late Bing Thom) and built by Bird Construction. It houses SFU’s new School of Sustainable Energy Engineering. In 2019 Bird Construction was recognized for its work on the building with a Vancouver Regional Construction Association award.

Yukon announces agreement with Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation

The Government of Yukon has reached a project agreement with Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation to upgrade three bridges along Freegold Road in the Yukon. The first nation will participate in planning, design, regulatory processes and construction activities on the project. Work includes reconstruction and replacement of the Crossing Creek Bridge, Bow Creek Bridge and Seymour Creek Bridge on Freegold Road.

Ximen completes portal construction for Kenville Gold Mine project

Ximen mining Corp. announced it has completed construction of a portal culvert giving access to the Kenville Gold Mine’s 257^th level near Nelson, B.C. Final stages included placement of back-fill, construction of a door on the outside of the culvert, an as-built survey, and installation of rail ties and track on the inside to connect with the 257th mine level. The final application for the project has been submitted to the Mines Review Committee.