Hundreds of billions worth of construction projects are on the drawing board in B.C. As a result, most construction contractors geared up for even more work this year, despite an already intense pace. This will keep the industry’s GDP and employment contributions growing at the same pace as the provincial economy.
Sending home foreign workers hurts B.C.
British Columbia’s labour leaders may be calling the homeward-bound trip for 16 Chinese temporary foreign workers a success, but they are celebrating an empty victory that hurts everyone in B.C.
The 16 jobs in question at HD Mining’s Murray River Project near Tumbler Ridge were highly specialized – and the Chinese workers had those skills. It was the start of something bigger – and a total of 200 specialized miners to do preparatory mining at the site and see if it was feasible. They were slated to train Canadian workers in new underground skills. Local workers would have learned new skills – something that will really help as demand for skilled workers ramps up across B.C., Canada, and the globe.
Federal infrastructure focus good news
The Globe and Mail is reporting that there will be a focus on infrastructure spending in the upcoming federal budget.
That’s good news for construction and good news for the economy. As ICBA examined in its latest Construction Monitor, infrastructure investments pay large economic dividends. And failing to spend on infrastructure today means spending more tomorrow. Check out that report here.
Training Tuesday – Supervisors Bootcamp
ICBA’s BC Construction Training Centre is dedicated to connecting members and the rest of the construction industry with the training they need for their employees and their companies to get ahead.
Every Tuesday is Training Tuesday on the ICBA Independent Blog, and each week we’ll highlight an exciting new course coming up. Check in for what’s ahead – and what can help you with your bottom line. This week it’s about tapping into peak performance.
This week, we’re highlighting our Supervisors Bootcamp which offers practical leadership tools for front line supervisors
B.C. needs to protect infrastructure investments
Failing to invest in infrastructure today means higher costs, slower growth tomorrow for British Columbians.
The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C. today released its study on the impact of infrastructure spending – and the risk of cutting it during tough budget cycles.
“With a provincial budget due on Feb. 19 there are some valuable reminders in the report about just how much more gets built when the government invests in infrastructure,” said ICBA President Philip Hochstein. “Infrastructure investments create direct and indirect jobs, drive economic benefits in the community, and enhance the quality of life.”
Training Tuesday – Peak Performance
ICBA’s BC Construction Training Centre is dedicated to connecting members and the rest of the construction industry with the training they need for their employees and their companies to get ahead.
Every Tuesday is now Training Tuesday on the ICBA Independent Blog, and each week we’ll highlight an exciting new course coming up. Check in for what’s ahead – and what can help you with your bottom line. This week it’s about tapping into peak performance.
Higher public pay means smaller cheques for taxpayers
The Province newspaper missed the mark in its Jan. 25 editorial on the Fraser Institute’s recent study showing that government workers get pay that’s almost 14% higher than people doing the same work in the private sector. In fact, public sector workers are getting rich at the expense of taxpayers. Public pensions and pay are so rich that bureaucrats can retire an average of three years earlier than private sector workers.
ICBA submitted a letter to the Province making this very point.
Robbing Private Peter to pay Public Paul more
There is a solution to the runaway public pay in B.C. – a Public-Private Compensation Equity act that could take the politics out of setting pay for government workers – and some the sting out of taxes for the taxpayers. ICBA President Philip Hochstein highlighted the idea in a letter to the Vancouver Sun in response to a column and Fraser Institute report issued yesterday. The letter is below.
Sun article shows public pay much richer than private
The Vancouver Sun’s Don Cayo has an excellent column today on the pay premium in the public sector – based on a new report from the Fraser Institute. The findings are that B.C. public-sector workers (federal, provincial, and local) earned wages 13.6 per cent higher, on average, than their private-sector counterparts. That’s just wages – it doesn’t include the richer benefits and longer vacation times enjoyed by civil servants.
ICBA looked at the trend – and its economic impacts – in its Summer 2012 Construction Monitor. Given recent raises in the public sector it’s clear that governments of every level are making paycheques smaller for taxpayers so the already bigger paycheuqes for bureaucrats of every level can continue to grow and grow.
Construction confident for 2013 – with some caution
By Philip Hochstein, President ICBA
The year is almost over and the calendar is set to turn to 2013. It’s been a busy year for ICBA, for our members, and our industry. Every indication is that the coming year should be busier.
Just last month we completed our annual wage and benefits survey for the industry. Across the board construction firms are confident about the year ahead. In fact, half expect their volume of work to grow in the coming year. That’s the kind of confidence we haven’t seen since the pre-Olympic boom – and before the global economic downturn. Read more
Ideas and issues in B.C. Construction
B.C.’s construction industry has a proud history. Name a landmark in this province – and we’ve built it. The BC Legislature. BC Place. Canada Place. The Shangri La Hotel.
And if that landmark has been built in the last 35 years, it’s a safe bet it was built by members of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C. and the Open Shop. The 1,200 companies who make up the ICBA are the heart of the Open Shop that builds more than 90 per cent of the commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential projects in B.C. Read more