b"PRESIDENTS MESSAGETHE IMPORTANCE OF A PROVINCIALLY REGULATED ROOFING TRADEDAN HENROTTE RCABC PresidentT hismessageisabouttheneedforcertifiedroofersIt's not a financial issue. Its about protecting the long-term inthisprovince.However,beforegettingintothatintegrity of roofing in B.C. The idea of introducing mandatory subject, I would like to thank all of the people wholicensing for roofers has been considered for years with limited attended the RCABC open house on April 16. Thepolitical traction. Still, momentum is growing:objectiveoftheopenhousewastorecognizeworkbeingSome municipalities and insurance providers are nowdonebyourmembersandstakeholders.Itwasagreatrequiring RCABC contractors for major projects.association event! Public education campaigns have begun warningIn B.C.s roofing industry, a long-simmering issue continuesconsumers about the dangers of hiringtodivideprofessionalsandfrustratelegitimatecontractors:uninsured roofers.the presence of unlicensed and unqualified roofers offeringContractors themselves are calling on the provincial low-quality services under the radar. While these under-the-table operators might appeal to cost-conscious homeownersgovernment to adopt licensing and enforcement models and commercial business owners, the long-term consequencessimilar to those in Ontario and Alberta.of hiring them are becoming increasingly dangerous for theThe question is no longer if something needs to be doneindustry as a whole. its what and when. Until broader regulatory changes are made, Operatingoftenwithoutinsurance,propertrainingorroofing professionals can take the lead by:Promoting their certifications and safety credentials compliance with WorkSafeBC safety regulations, these compa-nies may skip critical steps in installation or use substandardclearly to customers;materials.Thisleaveshomeowners,commercialbusiness Reporting unsafe or illegal work to WorkSafeBC or owners and municipalities vulnerable to leaks, mold, structuralmunicipal inspectors;damage and often no legal recourse when things go wrong.Supporting industry associations that advocate for stan- Unlikeelectriciansorplumbers,roofingisnotaprovin- dards and accountability; andcially regulated trade in B.C. There is no licensing require-Participating in education efforts that help home-ment for roofers, and theres no central body empowered toowners, commercial business owners and municipalities enforce training or insurance standards. While organizationsunderstand the risks.like Roofing Contractors Association of BC (RCABC) offerThe B.C. roofing industry stands at a crossroads. Without training, certification and standards, only RCABC membersmeaningfulaction,thecontinuedpresenceofunlicensed are obligated to comply. contractors could erode public trust. But with unified advo-In short, anyone with a ladder and a truck can enter thecacyandarenewedpushforaccountability,theindustry market. For legitimate, certified roofing contractors, the impactcanbuildafuturerootedinprofessionalism,safetyand is clear: skilled workmanship.Loss of jobs to unqualified companies; IdliketoendbyhopingallourmembershavegreatDamage to the industrys reputation when homeowners,success in this busy season! I encourage you to share yourcommercial business owners and municipalities thoughts and ideas on this topic and other issues with me are burned; (danh@cascaderoofing.ca) and the RCABC staff.Pressure to cut corners, potentially compromising thier own safety or workmanship; and Yours sincerely, Frustration with a system that does little to stop Dan Henrotterepeat offenders. RCABC President8 lROOFINGBClSUMMER 2025"