There are many construction stories that did occur in my thirty years as a Building Contractor but this one still makes me smile.

Verigin Construction (1983) Ltd., was low tender on the Grand Forks R.C.M.P building in the early 1990s. As is the usual procedure with Public Works Canada (PWC), a project orientation meeting is called prior to construction on site. The meeting is usually called in the Federal Building in Vancouver, B.C., and since I had estimated it and also the company representative, I went to the meeting.

At the appointed meeting room on Alberni Street, I was met by the designated PWC Project Manager (PM) as well as a few other officials. The PM was friendly and in the time before the scheduled meeting time, we were able to establish that he was from Greenwood, B.C. just a short distance West of Grand Forks and I, of course, had lived in Castlegar prior to taking residence in Tswassassen. He also explained that his family had been relocated to Greenwood during the Second World War, as were many other ethnic Japanese-Canadians, forced to do at that time. Yes, he knew many Doukhobor families in the Grand Forks area, played ball with them and so we were looking forward to pleasant professional association on the construction project.

The meeting was called to order and the agenda presented. It included many questions to the Contractor which would determine his understanding of the intended project. As well it is customary to outline the regulatory requirements of PWC. I responded with a suggestion that I intended to ask questions of PWC as well and would that be acceptable?

“Oh yes” was the PM’s response and immediately started the meeting.

Most questions were already in the contract documents and required a simple “yes” answer. The process continued in a positive fashion, with the recording secretary making notes where required.

Suddenly, the door flung open and in swaggered this uniformed individual, all decorated with significant ornate pins and other hanging decals, that clearly identified a man of distinction. in “DR. Parkinson in Parkinson’s Law”, warns that a person, in authority and responsibility, usually can be rated by the minutes that they arrive after the scheduled event start time.

The PM, immediately interrupted the meeting by introducing the gentleman as the R.C.M.P. Commissioner for British Columbia and the Yukon. The man did not acknowledge anyone and seated himself as if he was just a bit late for dinner.

The next item on the agenda was to do with Project Signage and the PM went on to explain that no signage would be permitted on this project that could identify, the project, those contracting, nor any other phone numbers, names, etc.

I must inform the Reader that my General Manager had already set a policy whereby our company should not waste any money on signage for advertising as the only sure method to be a successful tenderer is to tender the low bid, plain and simple.

Despite our company philosophy on signage, I decided to ask “why not?”

Almost as if by rehearesment, the Commissioner rose to attention and proceeded to explain, “Grand Forks has many residents who belong to a religious sect named Doukhobors”, he explained. “These people are known for their terrorism acts and likely will be arrested from time to time for their actions.”

He went on with additional explanations, “having your name on a sign could result in these people taking action on you at a time when someone is incarcerated. This may cause construction information to be so elicited, to be used by them to free whosoever may be held in this facility” . With that closing remark, he seated himself.

The PM gave me an apologetic look and before he could say anything, I stood up and replied as follows:

“I am a Doukhobor and my company secured many competitive sub-trade and supplier tenders during the tendering period. I can assure the Commissioner that we took precautions in awarding as follows:

“The Excavating Contractor is a Doukhobor also, as is the Electrician, the Mechanical Contractor, Drywaller and Painter. The Superintendent is a Doukhobor and the three Tradesmen Carpenters on site are as well. The Masonry Contractor is from another town but we will keep an eye on him.”

I closed with “so you see sir, you might say we are in control of this project!”

The rustle of tunic brushing the table and chair was clearly audible as the embarrassed Commissioner hurriedly left the room.

The PM had a difficult time controlling his laughter and with a professional clearing of his throat, he went on with the next item on his agenda.

We never did have the honor of a visit by the Commissioner nor the R.C.M.P., throughout the construction period……………….

This chronicle was written by Elmer Verigin, from an actual event
June 04, 2015, EWV was inspired to make this first entry