ICBA Appoints Jock Finlayson as First Chief Economist

The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA), the country’s largest construction association, announced today the appointment of Jock Finlayson as its inaugural Chief Economist. This landmark hiring underscores ICBA Alberta’s commitment to provide its members and the broader construction industry with deep economic insights and expert analysis.

“To land someone with Jock Finlayson’s outstanding reputation as ICBA’s first-ever Chief Economist is very exciting,” said ICBA Alberta President Mike Martens. “Jock’s insight and expertise will help our industry better understand the broader economic trends affecting construction, including fiscal policy, the shortage of people, regulatory creep, declining productivity, and loss of economic competitiveness.”

“Construction is a sector full of savvy entrepreneurs and visionary builders, creating companies and projects that deliver tremendous value to Alberta,” said Finlayson. “It’s an honour to be named ICBA’s first Chief Economist, and to provide analysis and insight for an industry that makes up nearly 10% of Alberta’s economy. A thriving construction sector is vital to the economic health of the province.”

As ICBA Chief Economist, Finlayson will monitor and analyze industry trends, market conditions, and economic factors to provide insights and forecasts relevant to the construction sector. In addition, he will advise ICBA and its members on developments in the business and policy environment affecting both construction and the broader economy, and assist ICBA in strategic planning and public policy advocacy.

Previously, Finlayson served as Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the Business Council of British Columbia, leading and directing the Council’s work on economic, fiscal, tax, environmental, regulatory, and human capital issues of interest to the largest employers in the province and the wider business community. A former director of the Bank of Canada, he holds a master’s degree in business from Yale University, undergraduate and M.A. degrees from UBC, and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Royal Roads University. See Finlayson’s full biography HERE.

Finlayson’s ICBA work will be housed at https://icbaalberta.ca/economics.