ICBA ECONOMICS: Building Permits Slowing as Economy Softens
By Jock Finlayson, ICBA Chief Economist In the waning weeks of 2023, Canadian building permits turned lower, consistent with a stagnant national economy and suggesting a weak hand-off for 2024. Nationally, the value of building permits fell almost 4% between October...ICBA IN THE NEWS: Permits and Workforce
In case missed it, ICBA’s Chris Gardner was featured in two pieces this week: Making the case for young people to join the trades Permits too pricy in VancouverTRAINING THURSDAY (ON WEDNESDAY): Medical Gas Piping and Systems Installation Training
Kerry and Jordan talk medical gas and apprentice grads! Medical Gas Piping and Systems Installation Training February and March 2024 Blended: in-person and online https://icbatraining.arlo.co/w/courses/229-medical-gas-piping-and-systems-installation-training/1717...
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #137: Breaking the Stigma in Hockey
You can tell the stigma around mental health in male-dominated industries like hockey is finally breaking, as we hear and read more stories of high-level athletes reaching out for help. This week, it’s Columbus Blue Jackets star Patrik Laine who has announced that...Follow ICBA on Facebook
Canada's public infrastructure is showing signs of significant deterioration. ![]()
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🚙 Statistics Canada estimates that replacing roads rated in poor or very poor condition would cost $250 billion. ![]()
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🚰 10%+ of water infrastructure assets are deemed to be in disrepair. ![]()
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📈 Local and regional governments, responsible for more than 70% of these assets, face escalating replacement costs, which have increased by over $100 billion between 2020 and 2022. ![]()
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This growing infrastructure deficit underscores the urgent need for strategic investment and policy action to maintain and enhance the nation's essential services.![]()
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Read ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson's analysis here: www.icbaindependent.ca/2024/11/25/icba-economics-growing-wear-and-tear-on-canadas-public-infrastr...
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
