Construction Costs Increased 6% Over Past Year – But Pace is Starting to Slow
The following was authored by Jock Finlayson, ICBA Chief Economist. The construction industry across Canada has been grappling with sharply escalating building costs for the last several years. The direction of travel for costs is still pointing upward, but the pace...
ICBA is Hiring: Office Administrator
Helping businesses keep a promise to their employees is a great feeling, and that is what we deliver everyday. We are one of the pre-eminent construction industry and business associations in Canada, and we are looking for great team members who want to feel fantastic...
ICBA NEWS: Chris Gardner Named one of BIV’s Most Influential Business Leaders
Congratulations to ICBA president Chris Gardner on being named to Business in Vancouver‘s 2022 list of most influential business leaders in British Columbia for policy and advocacy. This is his second straight year on the top 500 list. All of us at ICBA are proud to...Join Our Team at ICBA Benefits
ICBA Benefits has offices in Surrey, B.C., Prince George, B.C., and Calgary, Alberta, and employs some of the best people in the industry. For more than 35 years, ICBA Benefits has been providing superior employee benefits and services to our members. We believe that...Follow ICBA on Facebook
Our Jordan Bateman gives you the heads-up on Canada’s economy shrinking, old B.C. politicians taking on their NDP successors, and Alberta rolling in money. ![]()
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For links to sources, visit www.icbaindependent.ca. We can't post media links here because of the Trudeau Government's foolish Online News Act. 🙄![]()
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📉 For months, economists have been warning the Trudeau Government and Canadians that – on a per-person basis -- our economy is shrinking. The politicians ignored those warnings, using record levels of immigration to make it appear that our GDP was still health and growing. Well, guess what? Even by that politically-spun metric, Canada hit the skids in Q3. The economy shrank by 1.1%. ![]()
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🏠 In British Columbia, the NDP Government was lashed by former NDP Premier Mike Harcourt and former NDP Municipal Affairs Minister Darlene Marzari for not having any nuance or ability for cities to deal with their orders to turn single family zoning into 4-6 units per lot, or put high rises near every bus loop. ![]()
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💰 While wildfires in B.C. are blamed by the BC NDP for their wild overspending and massive budget deficit, Alberta absorbed their wildfire costs and are still on pace for a $5.5 billion surplus.
TRAINING THURSDAY: Asbestos Abatement Certification Kicking In![]()
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Kerry and Jordan talk about our latest featured course and impending WorkSafeBC asbestos abatement requirements. Plus Christmas!![]()
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Asbestos Abatement Certification: Level 3 - Asbestos Safety Leader![]()
December 14-15, 2023 | Live Online![]()
WorkSafe BC Approved, 2 CCA Gold Seal Credits, 15 BC Housing CPD Points![]()
icbatraining.arlo.co/w/courses/311-asbestos-abatement-certification-level-3-asbestos-safety-leade...![]()
Missed this one? Check out www.icba.ca/courses![]()
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All workers in British Columbia covered by the regulation must obtain their asbestos abatement certification by January 1, 2024, to continue working on any site where asbestos is present. ![]()
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Any worker conducting asbestos abatement work in relation to a building must be certified, even in situations where a company license is not required. To find out more about who needs a certificate please click here. ![]()
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This course equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to become competent Asbestos Safety Leaders in the field of asbestos abatement. Participants will learn to identify various asbestos-containing materials, associated hazards, and health risks. Additionally, they will develop safe work procedures, understand regulatory requirements, and effectively plan and oversee asbestos abatement projects.
During our visit to the Gitxsan Huwilp Government and Gitxsan Development Corporation in Hazelton yesterday, ICBA Wellness Ambassador Corey Hirsch was given a beautiful piece of art by Arlene Ness, who had done a lot of research into Corey’s story, his mask preferences, and how it connected to the Gitxsan.![]()
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Corey was incredibly honoured and humbled by the gift, the talent, and the thought that went into it. Thank you, Arlene and Gitxsan for your warm welcome into your community!
We spent an amazing day in Hazelton, as ICBA Wellness Ambassador Corey Hirsch Official and VP-Regional Mike Davis visited the Gitxsan Huwilp Government yesterday. Corey shared his story with a group of more than 60 Gitxsan members and friends, including chiefs, community members and industry representatives. We felt incredibly welcomed and were thrilled to work with the Gitxsan Development Corporation to put together this visit.![]()
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One youngster even brought his goalie stick for Corey to sign! Thank you for having us!
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #128: Inflation Isolation![]()
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It’s a tough cycle to break: the economy sucks, so we stay home more to save money, but that negatively affects our mental health…![]()
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This week, MNP put out a study, featured in the Financial Post, that called this troubling trend, ‘inflation isolation'. Half of the Canadians surveyed are staying home more to save money, and a third are cutting back on socializing. This is hitting younger folks and those earning under $40,000 especially hard.![]()
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Mental health is taking a hit too. About 20% of the respondents feel socially isolated, and 19% are experiencing loneliness. The pressure from escalating costs and growing debts is causing widespread anxiety and stress.![]()
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Nearly half of people fear they won't be able to handle living costs in the next year without sinking deeper into debt. Even people earning over $100,000 aren't immune, with many living paycheque to paycheque.![]()
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Inflation isolation sucks. Financial stress doesn't just affect our bank accounts but also our wellbeing and connections with others. Keep an eye on your friends, loved ones, and yourselves.![]()
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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 is helping more than 100 companies and more than 10,000 construction professionals better understand mental health. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.
Our Jordan Bateman gives you the heads-up on the 2024 housing market, predictions for Alberta, and the importance of LNG to Indigenous communities. ![]()
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For links to sources, visit www.icbaindependent.ca. We can't post media links here because of the Trudeau Government's foolish Online News Act. 🙄![]()
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🐌 Canadians should brace for a slooooow housing market this spring, as the interest rate hikes and economic downturn continue to take their toll, says Desjardins Economics. It’s also slowing housing starts – the last thing we need in an affordability crisis. ![]()
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📈 Desjardins has also made some predictions about Alberta for 2024, and they’re much sunnier than in B.C. They say economic activity from tax cuts, a modest increase in oil prices, and population growth will make sure Alberta stays in surplus. ![]()
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🛢Karen Ogen, a former elected Wet’suwet’en chief councillor, writes in BIV that pipeline construction is an important step forward for Indigenous communities.
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’Tis the Season to Fret About Money
At ICBA this month, we've been looking at how we deal with our individual finances, and how that can feed stress and anxiety. One of the most helpful pieces has been material on how to manage holiday stress...
MORE AT https://www.icbaindependent.ca/2023/11/22/wellness-wednesday-127-tis-the-season-to-fret-about-money/