ICBA ECONOMICS: A Look Under the Hood of the B.C. Business Community
By Jock Finlayson, ICBA Chief Economist If one listens closely to what provincial government ministers and many other politicians have to say about the place of business in British Columbia, they often seem to harbour a distorted understanding of the true situation....ICBA Kitchen Talk with Jock #1
Jordan Bateman gets 3% smarter every time he talks economics in the ICBA kitchen with our Chief Economist Jock Finlayson. So why not let everyone in on our conversation? Today, we talk inflation, interest rates, energy and productivity. (Filmed with our Meta Glasses.)...
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #159: Calgary’s Wellness Desk
ICBA Wellness has been running for more than three years now, and our commitment to our award-winning program has kept us very busy. But there are many other organizations and groups doing amazing things in mental health, and worth noting. Recently, I heard about the...
ICBA OP/ED: Energy Takes its Place as B.C.’s Leading Export Sector
The following op/ed, co-written by ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson and Business Council of B.C. Chief Economist Ken Peacock, was first published in Business in Vancouver on July 17, 2024. The provincial government recently published data on the value of exports in...ICBA ECONOMICS: Energy exports continue to fuel the Canadian economy
This piece, by ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson, was first published by the Fraser Institute on July 12, 2024. Energy sits at the heart of Canada’s export economy, even though some federal policymakers and provincial governments appear to be discomfited by that...Follow ICBA on Facebook
More than 350 people attended this week's Official Opposition breakfast at the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George. ICBA was proud to sponsor the event, which featured Conservative Party of BC leader John Rustad make a compelling, strong case for responsible resource development, and getting to yes in B.C.
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...Tweet ICBA!
TRAINING THURSDAY: Civil 3D 2024 for Surveying
Kerry and Jordan, the most multi-dimensional ICBAers you know, talk about our latest featured course.
Civil 3D 2024 for Surveying
January 27-28, 2025 | Live Online
https://icbatraining.arlo.co/w/courses/596-civil-3d-2024-for-surveying
Missed this one? Check out…
We -- the largest construction association in Canada -- are the first trade/business association in Canada to step forward and endorse @PierrePoilievre. We hope many, many more follow suit.