ICBA Construction Monitor: Canadian Economy has a Major Productivity Problem
Weak research and development investment – largely caused by high taxation and government policies seemingly designed to discourage investment and innovation – is causing sluggish productivity growth, says the June 2024 edition of The Construction Monitor, published...IN THE NEWS: ICBA’s Jock Finlayson talks BC Debt with CHEK’s Carole Taylor
In this episode of Carole Taylor’s Journal on CHEK TV, we explore the seeming indifference that the federal and British Columbia governments have towards deficit budgets and a building debt. The service payments on that debt are climbing as interest rates rise,...
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #152: The Power of Being Near Water
I’m in Kelowna this week attending the BC Chamber of Commerce’s annual policy convention, and that means getting up close and personal with one of B.C.’s most popular spots – Lake Okanagan. And that’s good for my mental health, say experts! There is a growing body of...TRAINING THURSDAY: Leveraging Alberta’s Prompt Payment & Lien Act in Construction
Kerry and Jordan talk about ICBA Training’s latest featured course, Meet the Generals, and podcasts. To register (free for members!) for Meet the Generals, visit www.icba.ca/2024MTG Leveraging Alberta’s Prompt Payment & Lien Act in Construction Thursday,...Follow ICBA on Facebook
TRAINING THURSDAY: Understanding Self-Care: More Than Just a Buzzword (Webinar)![]()
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Kerry and Jordan talk about ICBA’s latest featured course – and it’s free!![]()
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Understanding Self-Care: More Than Just a Buzzword (Webinar)![]()
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 | 11AM – Noon Pacific![]()
Live Online | FREE!![]()
icbatraining.arlo.co/w/courses/602-understanding-selfcare-more-than-just-a-buzzword/2637 ![]()
Missed this one? Check out icba.ca/courses![]()
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In today’s fast-paced world, self-care has become a buzzword often thrown around in casual conversation, but what does it truly mean? Is it merely a trendy hashtag or a genuine practice that can transform our lives, particularly in high-stress fields like construction?![]()
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In this enlightening 1-hour webinar, we’ll delve deep into the true essence of self-care and debunk common misconceptions that diminish its importance. You'll discover that self-care is not just about pampering yourself with a spa day—it's about nurturing your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, especially in a demanding work environment.![]()
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Thank you to CCI/Kanin Construction for their support of ICBA Wellness, which allows us to offer this webinar free-of-charge.
📉 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!
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💡 Want to solve B.C.’s financial mess? Start with economic growth!
In BIV today, ICBA President Chris Gardner says housing and infrastructure investment are key to turning things around.
#BCEconomy #ICBAInsights