Kerry and Jordan talk about Remembrance Day, Jordan’s recent trek to Ottawa, and our featured course: Strategic Planning for Growth Gold Seal: 1 Credit + BC Housing: 7 CPD Points Nov. 22-23, 2023 | 8:30AM – Noon Pacific Details at...
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...
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #125: Making Benefit Plans Work for Mental Health
A recent Benefits Benchmarking report by The Conference Board of Canada shows some improvement in mental health benefits: 54.4% of organizations have increased their psychological health service coverage since the pandemic. The report also shows that most companies...
ICBA ECONOMICS: Two Hard Truths About Canada’s Trade
By Jock Finlayson, ICBA Chief Economist Canada is a mid-sized economy, responsible for less than 2% of global production of goods and services – a proportion that has fallen gently over the past two decades. Closer to home, we represent approximately 8% of all...
TRAINING THURSDAY: Lien on Me
Kerry and Jordan recap the ICBA Construction Innovation Summit (no need to welcome our robot overlords quite yet) and highlight ICBA's latest featured course! The Nuts and Bolts of Builders’ Liens (Live Online) 1.5 BC Housing CPD Points...
CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS: Merit Nova Scotia’s Paul Dubé
We go coast-to-coast in this episode, as ICBA BC's Jordan Bateman and Merit Nova Scotia's Paul Dubé discuss the Construction Innovation Summit, housing affordability, and the carbon tax. They explore the potential of AI in the construction...
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #124: Money Worries
Inflation and financial stress is taking a serious toll on Canadians' mental health says a new RBC study – and it’s affecting every generation. A staggering 72% of Canadians report that money worries are constantly on their minds. This stress cuts across generations –...
ICBA ECONOMICS: B.C.’s economic outlook is dismal as public sector debt skyrockets
The following, by ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson and Business Council of B.C. Chief Economist Ken Peacock, first ran in Business in Vancouver on Oct. 27, 2023. Government deficits are back. According to the latest fiscal and economic update from the Ministry of...
TRAINING THURSDAY: Leadership Foundations for Women in Construction
Kerry and Jordan discuss ICBA’s latest featured course and 1989 (Taylor’s Version). Leadership Foundations for Women in Construction Blended - Live Online and On-Demand Starts Nov. 13 2 CCA Gold Seal Credits...
Follow ICBA on Facebook
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.![]()
![]()
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.![]()
![]()
One youngster even brought his goalie stick for Corey to sign! Thank you for having us!
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #128: Inflation Isolation![]()
![]()
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…![]()
![]()
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.![]()
![]()
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.![]()
![]()
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.![]()
![]()
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.![]()
![]()
------![]()
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. ![]()
![]()
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. 🙄![]()
![]()
🐌 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. ![]()
![]()
📈 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. ![]()
![]()
🛢Karen Ogen, a former elected Wet’suwet’en chief councillor, writes in BIV that pipeline construction is an important step forward for Indigenous communities.
Our Jordan Bateman gives you the heads-up on Premier Smith taking on Ottawa, the federal fiscal update, and the link between workers and housing. ![]()
![]()
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. 🙄![]()
![]()
🛢 Premier Danielle Smith (and most Albertans, and ICBA Alberta) has had quite enough of the Trudeau government’s systematic attack on the Canadian oil and gas industry. She has promised to take action – you can bet the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act will be a big part of her pushback.![]()
![]()
💸 ICBA’s Chief Economist Jock Finlayson reviewed the Trudeau Government’s fiscal update and found it deeply concerning. ![]()
![]()
🏠 Finally, Les Leyne dug into the link between housing and workers, and found the BC NDP government is missing a plan to make this important link.
It was a federal fiscal update only a free spender could love... ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson breaks down last week's update from federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland:![]()
![]()
"Higher spending and the mounting debt have made it harder for the Bank of Canada to get inflation back to 2%, after three years (2021-23) during which the all-items Consumer Price index has been running well above the Bank’s target. In this sense, fiscal and monetary policy in Canada have been misaligned for at least the last 18 months: the central bank has been seeking aggressively to temper demand and dampen economy-wide spending, while policymakers in Ottawa, Victoria and some other provincial capitals have been pouring money into an economy that doesn’t require additional “stimulus” — in pursuit of a mix of political, social and environmental objectives, including, most recently, a perceived need to address the cost of living challenges facing Canadians."![]()
![]()
Much more at www.icbaindependent.ca/2023/11/23/icba-economics-the-federal-governments-fall-economic-statement/
Tweet ICBA!
’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/