ICBA CAST: Chris and Jordan ponder the NDP Government’s PipeVine War, the Pattullo Bridge announcement, the big NDP budget, our week at BUILDEX and more.
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📉 Canada's Economic Outlook for 2025-26 📈![]()
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Jock Finlayson, ICBA's Chief Economist, projects a modest real GDP growth of 1.2% for Canada in 2024, down from 1.5% in 2023. 2025 looks to return to 1.5% -- unless President Trump makes good on his tariff threats.![]()
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With the Bank of Canada lowering its policy interest rate from 5.0% to 3.25% by December 2024, there's a glimmer of hope for economic stabilization.![]()
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Stay informed with Jock's in-depth, 2025-26 Economic Forecast, including analysis on Canada, B.C., and Alberta. ![]()
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Spoiler alert: we're not in great shape, and a US tariff war would crush us.
ICBA ECONOMICS: 2025-26 Forecast
www.icbaindependent.ca
By Jock Finlayson, ICBA Chief Economist As a new year beckons, Canadian policymakers and business leaders find themselves staring at an unsettled economic landscape that renders the task of forecastin...
‼️ BC’s Economy in 2025: Big Challenges Ahead!![]()
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ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson breaks down the economic hurdles B.C. is set to face in the coming year in his latest op-ed on Business in Vancouver.![]()
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📉 What’s at stake?![]()
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- Potential trade disruptions with the U.S., affecting $40+ billion in exports.![]()
- Reduced immigration targets slowing population and labor force growth.![]()
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👉 Read Jock’s full analysis at the link below.![]()
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At ICBA, we’re committed to supporting construction companies and helping them prepare for what’s next. Help us shape the conversation by joining us - details at icba.ca.![]()
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#Economy #BCBusiness #Trade #Immigration #ICBA
ICBA OP/ED: B.C.’s government will face extraordinary economic challenges in 2025
www.icbaindependent.ca
The following piece by ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson first appeared in Business in Vancouver on Dec. 19, 2024. As the clock ticks down on a turbulent 2024, Premier David Eby and his recently ins...
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #181: Our Final Edition![]()
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For more than three-and-a-half years, I’ve been writing Wellness Wednesdays for ICBA’s social channels – sharing tips, takes, and tales from our work in mental health. But this will be our final regular edition.![]()
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While Wellness Wednesday is wrapping up, our work in mental health certainly is not. ICBA Wellness continues to serve more than 100 companies with resources, toolbox talks, webinars and more – all free for our member companies. Our Wellness Ambassador Corey Hirsch will continue to travel B.C. and Alberta talking with groups about stigma and sharing his profound story. ![]()
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And in 2025, our new ICBA Foundation will take our mental health work even further – stay tuned for details on that.![]()
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Thanks for reading Wellness Wednesday, and we will still post relevant mental health and ICBA Wellness news in our feeds as stories and opportunities pop up.![]()
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Be well, everyone!![]()
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Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program has helped more than 100 companies and 15,000 construction professionals better understand mental health. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.
We are broken hearted by the news that our friend Niilo Edwards has passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who knew and loved Niilo.It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of FNMPC’s Chief Executive Officer, Niilo Edwards, ICD.D, after a sudden and unexpected turn in his fight against cancer.![]()
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Niilo was not only a leader but a visionary. As the first Executive Director and CEO of FNMPC, he took on the challenge with an unwavering commitment to economic inclusion, shaping the organization into what it is today: a driving force for First Nations participation in major projects across Canada. Niilo believed sincerely in the power of partnerships rooted in respect, trust, and shared prosperity—principles that will continue to guide us as we move forward.![]()
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“We are heartbroken by the loss of Niilo, who is like family to us here at the FNMPC. As a founding member of the FNMPC, his legacy and vision will continue to inspire and guide us as we move forward. Niilo’s unwavering dedication and visionary leadership have been instrumental in advancing the FNMPC to where we are today. His commitment to economic inclusion and supporting First Nations to lead in meaningful partnerships has set a standard for us all. While there may be some adjustments as we navigate this difficult time, the Coalition will continue to serve its members while we mourn Niilo.” - Executive Chair Sharleen Gale.![]()
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To honour Niilo’s memory, donations can be made to the Organ Donation and Transplant Research Foundation of B.C. at www.odtrf.org.![]()
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We thank our members, partners, and supporters for your understanding, kindness, and grace during this difficult time.![]()
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Niilo’s legacy will forever inspire our path forward. As Niilo would say, “We are Stronger Together".
Our Jordan Bateman listened to Premier David Eby's speech at the BC Chamber of Commerce last week -- and found it woefully lacking:![]()
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"Since 2017, B.C.’s NDP government has slathered cost and red tape on to business: multiple tax hikes, anti-employer rhetoric, WorkSafe regulations skewed completely to labour. And their soft-on-crime and drug-friendly policies have ramped up petty crime, again harming business... America’s arms are wide open [to investment]. But despite his political near-death experience, B.C.’s Premier seems as unfocused and as unhelpful as ever."![]()
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Read his BIV piece here⬇️
ICBA OP/ED – B.C.’s business disadvantage about to get worse
www.icbaindependent.ca
The following op-ed, written by Jordan Bateman, ICBA's VP-Communications, first appeared in Business in Vancouver on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. David Eby made his annual visit to the B.C. business communi...
📝 U.S. Construction Industry's Labour Crisis: Lessons for Canada![]()
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The U.S. construction industry is experiencing a severe labour shortage, with an estimated need for 500,000 additional workers each year through 2033 -- according to an analysis by ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson. This gap is due to increased construction activity and a significant number of retirements.![]()
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Canada's construction sector faces similar challenges. To prevent a comparable crisis, we must:![]()
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- Revise immigration policies to attract skilled tradespeople.![]()
- Expand apprenticeship and training programs to build a strong domestic workforce.![]()
- Promote careers in construction to encourage more Canadians to enter the field.![]()
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Taking these steps now is crucial to sustaining and growing our construction industry.![]()
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#construction #LabourShortage #SkilledTrades #ICBA ![]()
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ICBA ECONOMICS: Snapshot of Labour Supply Challenges in the U.S. Construction Industry
www.icbaindependent.ca
By Jock Finlayson, ICBA Chief Economist Over the past few years, the Canadian construction industry has been grappling with labour shortages, escalating payroll costs, and growing numbers of retiring ...Tweet ICBA!
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #181: Our Final Edition
For nearly 4 years, I’ve been writing Wellness Wednesdays for ICBA’s social channels – sharing tips, takes, and tales from our work in mental health. While this is our final regular edition, our work goes on...
https://www.icbaindependent.ca/2024/12/18/wellness-wednesday-181-our-final-edition/
The U.S. construction sector needs 500,000 additional workers annually through 2033 due to soaring demand and retirements. Canada must act now to avoid a similar crisis by prioritizing skilled trades in immigration and training.
https://www.icbaindependent.ca/2024/12/13/icba-economics-snapshot-of-labour-supply-challenges-in-the-u-s-construction-industry/