The following op-ed by ICBA President Chris Gardner first appeared in Business in Vancouver on Jan. 17, 2023. A slam dunk business deal if there ever was one. Strategic for both Canada and Japan – investment, jobs and climate change boxes all getting giant check...
SURREY – BC construction companies expect a year of labour shortages and historically high wage increases – all while growing in their discontent with government, according to the results of a new survey of Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA)...
Kerry and Jordan talk about ICBA’s featured course this week, Construction Law – which can save companies thousands in unnecessary legal fees. Construction Law January 24-28, 2023 (mornings only) – Live online 5 CCA Gold Seal Credits; 15-16 BC Housing CPD Points...
Last Monday night, the sports world looked on in shock and horror as 24-year-old Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed during an NFL football game. After a seemingly routine tackle, Hamlin’s heart and breathing stopped. He fell over and received life-saving...
Kerry and Jordan return to talk about ICBA Training’s slate of courses for 2023, and highlight Effective Management Skills. Effective Management Skills Jan. 24-25, 2023 | 830AM to 1230PM 1 Gold Seal Credit...
Sometimes, you just come across something that says it better than you can. Not sure who (besides me!) needs to hear this, but take a moment to look at this: —– Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s...
While Justin Trudeau, David Eby, and other leaders claim the age of fossil fuels is over, the data doesn't back them up, says ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson and Business Council of British Columbia Director Denise Mullen:"The lesson from the EIA report and the latest Canadian data on energy use is clear: while the energy system is moving, incrementally, away from fossil fuels, the process will take far longer than many assume. Fossil fuels have been the core of economic, industrial, and human activity for generations."That isn’t going to change because of the proclamations and sometimes ill-considered policy interventions engineered by politicians or the frantic lobbying of environmental activists."Read the piece at www.icbaindependent.ca/2024/05/16/icba-op-ed-global-petroleum-consumption-surges-defying-energy-t...... See MoreSee Less
TRAINING THURSDAY: Why Supervisory Skills Matter for RetentionKerry and Jordan talk about ICBA’s latest featured course, the incomparable Pam Bragg, and Batman vs. Superman.Why Supervisory Skills Matter for Retention (LIVE ONLINE)Thursday, June 6, 2024 (11AM to 1PM Pacific)icbatraining.arlo.co/w/courses/239-why-supervisory-skills-matter-for-retention/1459 Missed this one? Check out www.icba.ca/courses With labour shortages across the country, employee retention is one of the most talked about organizational challenges facing the construction industry, and it is anticipated to continue to be a workplace trend in the coming years.Employee retention is about much more than the foundational components of wages, hours, and benefits we tend to think of. While certainly important, it doesn’t end there. There are many other factors that go into an employee’s decision to stay or leave. And the supervisor–employee relationship has a powerful influence over that decision.Employers that systematically manage and strengthen the supervisor-employee relationship will stand a greater chance of managing through the labour shortages while retaining talent. Join us as we discuss the supervisory skills needed to help you retain your talent and become an employer of choice. ... See MoreSee Less
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #150: Whether Weather?The sun was out last weekend in southwestern B.C. – one of those incredible days where all the extra money we spend to live here (on taxes, on housing, and on taxes on housing) just suddenly feels worth it. It was warm and so many people seemed more upbeat, after months and months of rain.Healthline says that’s no coincidence. “Long, bright days can energize you… Warm, sunny weather may affect brainpower by boosting your memory, helping you feel more open to new information, and improving inattentiveness.”But it’s not all good: “Evidence suggests people are more likely to attempt suicide in the spring and early summer than any other season. Researchers don’t know exactly why this pattern occurs, although they have a few theories, including more sunlight exposure and solar radiation causing a shift in neurotransmitter levels; rapidly rising temperatures triggering a mood episode; [or] high pollen counts causing inflammation in the brain.”So add another external factor to your mental health checks: weather. --------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. ... See MoreSee Less
WorkSafeBC is developing new washroom regulations for B.C. construction sites, but they don't seem up to speed on the lessons learned by other jurisdictions, say our friends at COCA. Far be it from us to suggest a government agency take a field trip, but WorkSafeBC officials should engage Ontario and Quebec to understand their regulatory approaches better and avoid potential pitfalls. As COCA notes: "Over the years, we have seen the unfortunate results of government policies that have been rushed — where the implementation has the opposite effect of what was intended." ... See MoreSee Less
B.C. washroom regulations should heed examples of Ontario, Quebec Posted on May 13, 2024 by cocabc Journal of Commerce | Dave Baspaly | May 13, 2024 WorkSafeBC, under pressure from Premier David Eby, ...
It's important to know the building blocks of the B.C. economy -- and we're proud that construction contributes 10% of our province's economic output.
ICBA Chief Jock Finlayson digs into the numbers at https://www.icbaindependent.ca/2024/05/15/icba-economics-the-industrial-composition-of-the-b-c-economy/