The president of the association representing the provincial construction sector blames high living costs, low housing affordability and better opportunities elsewhere for the loss of construction workers in B.C.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e seen indications that construction workers, both skilled and unskilled, are moving out of the province as a direct result of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 high cost of living, housing shortage, and the perception of better opportunities elsewhere,B次元官网网址� Chris Atchison, British Columbia Construction AssociationB次元官网网址檚 president, said.
B次元官网网址淥ur workforce is invaluable, and we cannot afford to lose a single tradesperson or journeyperson,B次元官网网址� he added.B次元官网网址滲.C. needs an effective, affordable, multi-unit housing strategy aimed at keeping workers like those in the construction sector within the province.B次元官网网址�
He made these comments as BCCA released a slate of new statistics that paint a mixed picture of an industry that contributes 10.3 per cent to the provincial GDP and employs 218,000 people, the most of any goods-producing sector in B.C.
B次元官网网址淧roject work is still plentiful,B次元官网网址� Atchison said, adding that the number of construction projects is up 109 per cent over the past five years and still rising. But Atchison added that B次元官网网址渃yclical issuesB次元官网网址� like rising costs for material and labour are challenging contractors to meet demand. These pressures have led to lay-offs, he said.
B次元官网网址淎t the same time, for the first time in 10 years, weB次元官网网址檝e seen a trend of inter-provincial negative net migration,B次元官网网址� Atchison said. B次元官网网址淭his leads us to believe that workers may be moving out of province in search of more affordable housing and better cost of living.B次元官网网址�
Atchison said employment in construction declined by 14,500 workers, a drop of almost six per cent.
RELATED:
Atchison said government could help the industry by introducing prompt-payment legislation in repeating a long-stand demand.
B次元官网网址淕overnment seems to be under the illusion that contractors all have the deep pockets needed to essentially fund large-scale projects,B次元官网网址� he said. But that is not the case, he said, adding that no other industry has to wait that long.
B次元官网网址淎bout 90 per cent of B.C. contractors are small companies, and they are often paid three or six months after the last nail has been pounded, or the last coat of paint has dried,B次元官网网址� he said.
Atchison added that government has to act now.
B次元官网网址淭he situation is dire,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淯nlocking cash flow is an economic necessity and in the best interests of every community in British Columbia.B次元官网网址�
The latest statistics, however, also include some positive trends. According to BCCA figures, the industry will be short 6,000 workers by 2032, an improvement over past years.
B次元官网网址淭he good news is that this anticipated shortage is down 49 per cent over the last five years, as a result of collaborative workforce development efforts of the BCCA and industry at large,B次元官网网址� Atchison said.
The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation indirectly challenged the bleaker parts of BCCAB次元官网网址檚 assessment, noting the number of construction jobs rose by 38,000 since July 2017 (when the NDP took power), citing Statistics CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Survey of Employment Payrolls and Hours.
That figure ranks B.C. third among all provinces, despite higher borrowing costs, inflation and labour shortages challenging construction companies around the world, according to the ministry. Government also expects nearly 73,000 new job openings between 2022 and 2032 and is focusing on breaking down barriers to help more people join the trades.
The ministryB次元官网网址檚 statement also notes attorney general Niki Sharma has met with BCCA, adding staff are monitoring the impact of prompt payment legislation elsewhere.
wolfgang.depner@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on .
