Builders Liens Update 2026


Course Date: March 5, 2026

Full Course Materials
Total: 5h 45min
Total Ethics: 1h 9min
Course Agenda ▼
Course Introduction and Land Acknowledgement (9:00 – 9:10)
 
Teresa Sheward — Program Lawyer, CLEBC, Vancouver
Dirk Laudan — Eyford Partners LLP, Vancouver
David McKenzie — Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver
 
Posting Security (9:10 – 9:40)
  • recent caselaw on posting security and holdbacks
  • Metro-Can Construction case
  • JDV v. Skookum and the rejection of "single integrated development" theory
Christopher J. Moore — McLean & Armstrong LLP, West Vancouver
 
Set-off, Holdback, and Bad Faith Payments (9:40 – 10:10)
  • Lonsdale v. Klondike
  • ss. 23 and 34 of the Builders Liens Act
David McKenzie — Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver
Stephanie Streat — Synthesis Legal, Port Moody 
 
Indigenous Land (10:10 – 10:40)
  • builders liens and reserve and Indigenous land
Scott Marescaux — MLT Aikins LLP, Vancouver
 
BREAK (10:40 – 10:55)
 
Prompt Payment (10:55 – 11:55)
  • significant changes
  • anticipated regulations
  • other jurisdictions
  • adjudication
  • potential issue areas
Krista M. Johanson — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver
Stephanie Streat — Synthesis Legal, Port Moody 
 
LUNCH (11:55 – 12:40)
 
Legislative Reform Other Than Prompt Payment (12:40 – 1:20)
  • other than prompt payment
  • the possible demise of Shimco
  • contents of the BCLI report
J. Marc MacEwing — Clyde & Co. Canada LLP, Vancouver
 
When Does the Time Start Running (1:20 – 1:50)
  • triggers for running of time
  • substantial completion and certification of contracts
  • problems of certification
  • release of holdback 
Seema Lal — Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, Vancouver
 
How Liens Work in Alberta (1:50 – 2:00)
  • brief overview of Alberta builders' lien time regime
Dirk Laudan — Eyford Partners LLP, Vancouver
 
BREAK (2:00 – 2:15)
 
Insolvency and Builders Liens (2:15 – 2:45)
  • difference between BIA, CCAA, and receivership
  • priorities and insolvency
  • Ontario Lien Regularization Orders and similar things
Mia Laity — Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, Vancouver
Dirk Laudan — Eyford Partners LLP, Vancouver
David McKenzie — Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver
 
Surety Bonds (2:45 – 3:25)
 
Dirk Laudan — Eyford Partners LLP, Vancouver
Christopher Schuld — Eyford Partners LLP, Vancouver
 
How to Avoid Messing Up: Builders Lien Practitioner Pitfalls (3:25 – 3:55)
  • LIF current issues
  • ethics and law practice management issues
David Curtis — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver
 
Closing Comments (3:55 – 4:00)
 
Dirk Laudan — Eyford Partners LLP, Vancouver
David McKenzie — Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver