Our Jordan Bateman gives you the heads-up on Jock Finlayson joining ICBA, more power politics over Alberta’s power grid, and small businesses looking to get a refund on their WorkSafeBC premiums.
🎉 Big news out of ICBA – Canada’s largest construction association has just appointed the first Chief Economist in our history: Jock Finlayson. We are thrilled to have Jock bring his experience, expertise and knowledge to help build our sector and member companies. Follow his work at icba.ca/economics and icbaalberta.ca/economics.
🛢 Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault is still fighting with Alberta, trying to get his net-zero emission power grid pushed through by 2035. Premier Danielle Smith is standing firm, saying the plan is, “disastrously uninformed and totally disconnected from reality.” She wants to move the timeline to 2050. But Guilbeault pushed back, saying there would be no exceptions. What do the non-politicians say? The Alberta Electric System Operator say it isn’t feasible for the province to meet the national electricity target, and could trigger blackouts and far higher prices.
💰 B.C. small businesses are struggling under the weight of inflation, shrinking consumer numbers, COVID loans, and the general malaise in the economy. Our friends at the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses have a suggestion: give small businesses back some of the $2.5 billion in extra WorkSafeBC premiums they have paid over recent years. Other provinces have done this, and BC should too – and WorkSafe can, and still remain 130% funded to protect workers.
