ICBA’s Jordan Bateman has been looking for ideas to help small businesses throughout the federal election campaign — and found distressingly few.
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📉 B.C. is in a housing crisis.![]()
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Prices are sky-high, supply is at rock bottom, and policies are failing to keep up with demand. ICBA President Chris Gardner says we need bold action to get shovels in the ground and homes built faster. It’s time to cut the red tape and build for the future. ![]()
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🏠 Read his full take here: x.com/icbabc/status/1859384978183799086 (posted via X) -- or check it out in Business in Vancouver.![]()
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#BCHousingCrisis #economicgrowth
x.com
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #177: Corey Hirsch in Prince George![]()
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The Prince George Citizen ran a great feature story on ICBA Wellness Ambassador Corey Hirsch, after his recent visit there. This excerpt sums up perfectly what we are trying to accomplish with ICBA Wellness:![]()
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“The two main things I try to get across is if you need help, go get it, there’s no shame in it,” [Hirsch] said. “The second is that it’s not only important to be that person that raises your hand, it’s just as important to be that person who is receptive of someone raising their hand.”![]()
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Nearly 40 per cent of long-term disability claims in Canadian workplaces are related to mental health. While employers have gotten more educated about resources available to treat those conditions and are more accepting of their role to provide that help, Hirsch says there’s still plenty of room for improvement.![]()
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“People don’t want to lose their livelihood, they don’t want to lose their job to mental health issues, so they’re reluctant to come forward to their employer, “he said. “When workers see that they’re bringing me in with ICBA, they see that their employers care and that there’s a safe place to get help. Billions of dollars are lost every year in work industries because workers don’t get help and they’re afraid to get help.”![]()
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Corey’s right: Our employers do care about their team’s mental health. And we work every day to improve it!![]()
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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.
💸 Since 2019, B.C. has seen private sector job growth stagnate, while public sector jobs have surged by nearly 30%. ICBA is calling on the new cabinet to rethink policies that stifle private-sector growth and job creation. ![]()
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Read our Chief Economist Jock Finlayson's full analysis: www.icbaindependent.ca/2024/11/19/icba-economics-some-priorities-for-the-new-b-c-cabinet/![]()
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#bcpoli #fiscalpolicy
🚨 Canada's Productivity Emergency 🚨![]()
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Did you know that labour productivity in Canada declined from 2019-2023, while the U.S. saw a 6% gain over the same period? Canada's business sector productivity now stands at just 70% of the U.S. benchmark, down from 85-90% in the 1980s and 1990s. ![]()
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ICBA's Chief Economist Jock Finlayson outlines the challenges and offers actionable solutions for reversing this troubling trend. Read more here: www.icbaindependent.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ProductivityNote_JF_Nov-13-2024.pdf![]()
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#icbaeconomics #productivitychallenge #canadianbusiness
ICBA Wellness Ambassador Corey Hirsch Official and ICBA Regional VP Mike Davis were in Prince George last week at the 2024 Mental Health and Addictions Symposium, co-hosted by the North Central Local Government Association, the Lheidli T'enneh, the City of Prince George, and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.![]()
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More than 300 local leaders attended, including Councillor Crystal Gibbs (Lheidli T'enneh First Nation), Mayor Simon Yu (City of Prince George), Lana Beckett (Chair of the Regional District of Fraser Fort-George), and Judy Greenaway (President of the North Central Local Government Association).![]()
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Corey delivered the keynote address, told his story, and made the case to break down the stigma around mental health -- especially among men. Thank you to the organizers for putting together this incredible event and for hosting us!
Great news! ICBA's Chris Gardner has been added to the board of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, a leading advocate for lower taxes, less waste and more government accountability -- three things near and dear to ICBA! Chris will continue as our CEO and President. ![]()
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Here is the CTF press release:![]()
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EDMONTON, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is proud to announce the addition of Tim Hudak and Chris Gardner to its board of directors.![]()
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“Both Tim and Chris bring a wealth of knowledge and experience at the highest levels of provincial politics,” said Tim McMillan, CTF board chair. “Our entire board is looking forward to working with the two of them.”![]()
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Tim Hudak served for 21 years as a member of provincial parliament, cabinet minister and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. Most recently, he led the Ontario Real Estate Association as CEO for seven years before founding his own consulting firm.![]()
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“The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is a fearless and relentless champion for Canadian taxpayers,” said Hudak. “During my twenty-one years in elected office, I looked to the CTF for sensible ideas to rein in government spending and eliminate waste. It is an honour to now join the board of directors to help support the critical CTF mission.”![]()
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Chris Gardner is a lawyer and previously worked as principal secretary in the premier’s office in British Columbia. Since 2017, Chris has been the CEO and president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association.![]()
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“The Canadian Taxpayers Federation sets the bar for effective grassroots campaigns against big government,” said Gardner. “It consistently, clearly and convincingly stands up for taxpayers in Canada to fight for lower taxes, less waste and greater accountability in government.”![]()
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“We are fortunate to have an outstanding board already and the addition of Tim and Chris makes it even stronger,” said CTF President Scott Hennig. “Their extensive leadership experience in the non-profit sector will be invaluable as we deliver more wins for taxpayers.”
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💸 Public sector jobs in B.C. have grown by nearly 30% since 2019, while private sector jobs have barely increased. ICBA urges the new cabinet to focus on rebalancing job creation and supporting private-sector growth.
🔗 Read more: https://www.icbaindependent.ca/2024/11/19/icba-economics-some-priorities-for-the-new-b-c-cabinet/
#BCEconomy #bcpoli