ICBA ECONOMICS: Inflation Added 18% More Cost For Canadians
By Jock Finlayson, ICBA Chief Economist The past four plus years have been a rollercoaster for much of the world. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 quickly led to mass layoffs (most temporary), business closures, and unprecedented disruptions to normal life....
ICBA OP/ED: Bigger Government is Crushing Free Enterprise
The following, co-authored by ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson and Business Council of British Columbia Chief Economist Ken Peacock, first appeared in Business in Vancouver on Aug. 23, 2024. The B.C. economy is flagging. Business investment is falling, job creation...TRAINING THURSDAY: Painter and Decorator Interprovincial (IP) Red Seal Exam Preparation
Are you an experienced painter/decorator? Want your Red Seal but can’t afford 6 weeks off to attend a Lower Mainland school? Kerry and Jordan talk today about a program that’s a game changer for working painters — no time off work necessary! Painter...
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #164: Let’s Close This Summer Out Right!
Mindset is a weird thing. We got back from a vacation on Saturday and immediately put our son back on the ice to get ready for the hockey season. Then the weather dimmed a bit, and suddenly we felt like Summer Is Over. But it’s not! It’s only August 21, and even if...
ICBA ECONOMICS: Digging Into British Columbia’s Lopsided Job Market
By Jock Finlayson, ICBA Chief Economist July 2024 brought another downbeat report on the state of the B.C. labour market, confirming that the province currently faces an unappetizing mix of feeble employment growth and rising joblessness. According to the July Labour...Follow ICBA on Facebook
TRAINING THURSDAY: Civil 3D 2024 for Surveying![]()
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Kerry and Jordan, the most multi-dimensional ICBAers you know, talk about our latest featured course.![]()
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Civil 3D 2024 for Surveying![]()
January 27-28, 2025 | Live Online![]()
icbatraining.arlo.co/w/courses/596-civil-3d-2024-for-surveying![]()
Missed this one? Check out icba.ca/courses for options![]()
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This course will equip a surveyor with the basic knowledge that is required to use Civil 3D efficiently in a typical daily workflow. Participants will learn how to import field equipment survey data into a standardized Civil 3D environment.
🔨 ICBA Endorses Pierre Poilievre for Prime Minister! 🇨🇦![]()
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Canada feels broken—but there’s hope on the horizon. Today, ICBA is proud to become the first trade or business association in Canada to endorse Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party of Canada in the next federal election.![]()
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Why? Because construction workers and entrepreneurs deserve a government that gets things done. From tackling housing affordability to cutting red tape and unleashing Canada’s potential, Pierre Poilievre has the common-sense plan to fix what’s broken.![]()
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“Canada once built world-class infrastructure with speed and purpose,” said ICBA President Chris Gardner. “Pierre Poilievre understands that we need to streamline approvals, reduce unnecessary costs, and unleash the power of Canada’s workers and entrepreneurs.”![]()
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It’s time for action. Learn more about our endorsement and how we’re standing up for Canada’s future.![]()
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News release: www.icbaindependent.ca/2025/01/16/news-release-icba-endorses-pierre-poilievre-and-his-vision-for-... ![]()
Chris Gardner’s National Post op/ed on why we’re taking this bold stand: www.icbaindependent.ca/2025/01/16/endorsing-pierre-poilievre/![]()
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#ICBAForPoilievre #cdnpoli #CanadaStrong #LeadershipMatters #ConstructionLeadership
ICBA OP/ED: Why ICBA is Endorsing Pierre Poilievre
www.icbaindependent.ca
The following op-ed by Chris Gardner, ICBA President and CEO, first ran in the National Post on January 16, 2025. If you feel Canada is broken, you are not alone. Last year, ICBA polled British Columb...
🚧 Did you know? British Columbia's Major Projects Inventory includes 967 projects with a combined potential capital spending of $368 billion.![]()
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But way less than that will ever be built.![]()
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In his latest post, ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson delves into the current state and future outlook of B.C.'s construction sector, highlighting the significance of these projects to our economy.![]()
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With the completion of $100 billion worth of major energy projects, understanding the landscape of upcoming investments is crucial for our industry's growth.![]()
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đź”— www.icbaindependent.ca/2025/01/14/icba-economics-a-review-of-major-projects-in-british-columbia/
In today's episode of Carole Taylor's Journal on CHEK TV, Carole sat down with our Chris Gardner to discuss the pressing economic challenges facing Canada, particularly in the construction and housing sectors. Chris shared his frustrations with current government policies and offered insights into how these policies are impacting business growth, labor availability, and infrastructure development.![]()
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Among the highlights:![]()
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📉 Declining Growth Metrics. Chris expresses concern over Canada’s economic trajectory, noting that the country is experiencing a decline in growth metrics, which affects job creation and infrastructure development. He emphasizes the need for a change in leadership in Ottawa, as the current government policies are not conducive to fostering investment and opportunity.![]()
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đź’Ş Labour Challenges. Gardner raises the critical question of where the labor force will come from to meet the ambitious housing targets set by the government. He points out that the current rate of home construction is insufficient to meet demand, and without a skilled labor force, the goal of building 400,000 homes annually seems unrealistic.![]()
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📣 Regulations: Gardner critiques several public policies that he believes are detrimental to the construction industry. He highlights the "greenwashing" bill (Bill C-59), which imposes unfair standards on businesses. Gardner argues that this legislation stifles free speech and limits the ability of businesses to engage in open discussions about energy and environmental policies. He believes that the government’s approach creates a chilling effect on the debate surrounding Canada’s energy future.![]()
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🛠️ Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs). The conversation then turns to community benefit agreements (CBAs), which Gardner describes as a flawed initiative that restricts access to construction projects. He explains that these agreements require contractors to employ unionized workers, effectively excluding 85% of the construction workforce in British Columbia. Gardner argues that this exclusion leads to inefficiencies and increased costs in public projects, as the government is not utilizing the full pool of available talent.![]()
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🏠Infrastructure and Housing Crisis. Gardner emphasizes the urgent need for more housing and infrastructure, pointing out that the current policies are not addressing the housing crisis effectively. He criticizes the lack of coordination between federal, provincial, and municipal governments, which results in disjointed policies that hinder housing supply.![]()
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đź’¸ Development Cost Charges. Gardner notes that development cost charges for new housing are set to triple, further exacerbating affordability issues. He argues that these charges make it more difficult for developers to build affordable housing, contributing to the housing crisis.![]()
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Is BC Sliding Backwards? (w/ Chris Gardner, Independent Contractors and Business Association)
www.youtube.com
Well, 2024 was quite a year. Painful conflicts around the world, natural disasters of various kinds, and here in Canada, an economy that lags in so many ways...
📢 ICBA Alberta’s Budget 2025 Recommendations![]()
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Alberta is leading Canada with 2.5% GDP growth, booming housing starts, and growing opportunities for businesses and workers. To sustain this success, ICBA Alberta has urged the Danielle Smith government to prioritize:![]()
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âś… Balanced Budgets & Competitive Taxes: Keeping Alberta attractive to investors and skilled workers.![]()
âś… Open Competition for Infrastructure Projects: Avoid costly policies like CBAs, which exclude 85% of contractors and drive up costs.![]()
âś… Skilled Trades Workforce: Expand apprenticeship seats and streamline immigration for skilled workers.![]()
âś… Housing Affordability: Accelerate residential development approvals to address the housing crisis.![]()
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Together, these measures will ensure Alberta continues to lead the nation in economic growth. Let’s build Alberta’s future! 💪![]()
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Read more: icbaalberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-AB-Budget-Submission_ICBA-Alberta-FINAL.pdf![]()
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#ABBudget2025 #BuildingAlberta #ICBAAlberta
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Alberta’s economy is leading the way! ICBA Alberta urges @natehorner to focus on competitive taxes, open tendering, workforce training, & housing affordability in Budget 2025. Let’s keep building a strong future for Alberta! #ABBudget2025 #ableg
đź”— https://icbaalberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-AB-Budget-Submission_ICBA-Alberta-FINAL.pdf
NEW: 72% of B.C. construction companies face severe shortages of skilled workers, threatening critical projects amid a housing crisis.