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Clear, Practical Economics for Builders and Business Leaders

The ICBA Economics team tracks the trends, forecasts, and policy decisions influencing construction and the broader provincial economy. From labour market changes to major project investment to government policy shifts, we break complex issues down into practical insights you can use.

2 min read

ICBA EconoBot | Counter-Tariffs Land on Construction's Shopping List

TOP STORY Ottawa’s Counter-Tariffs Land on Construction’s Shopping List At 12:01 a.m. today, Canada’s counter-tariffs took effect on $27.6 billion of U.S. imports — and the list reads like a contractor’s purchase order. Goods made wholly...
1 min read

SUBMISSION: 15 Ways Budget 2026 can get Canada Building

Canada has $650 billion of major projects on the books in B.C. and Alberta alone. What it lacks is a system that can get them built. That's the message in ICBA's 2026 pre-budget submission, sent today to federal Finance Minister...
2 min read

ICBA EconoBot | BoC Holds at 2.25% and Cracks the Door to Hikes

TOP STORY BoC Holds at 2.25% — and Cracks the Door to Hikes The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% on Wednesday for a seventh straight meeting, but the tone shifted. Headline inflation is stuck near 3% on gasoline, the Strait of...
Policy And Regulation
Policy and Regulation

Breakdowns of new provincial rules, permitting changes, procurement shifts, and labour legislation.

Major Projects Update

Major Projects Updates

Tracking the progress, delays, and opportunities in B.C.’s largest construction and infrastructure projects.

Economic Trends-1

Economic & Labour Trends

Workforce demand, wage pressures, market forecasts, and what they mean for contractors.

Regional Impacts
Regional Impacts

Insights tailored to the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Interior, and Northern B.C.

About Jock Finlayson

Jock Finlayson is the Chief Economist for the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA), the first to hold the role in the organization’s 50-year history. He provides analysis, forecasts, and policy insight for B.C.’s construction sector and advises ICBA on economic trends and strategic issues.

Jock previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the Business Council of British Columbia, and before that as Vice President of Research at the Business Council of Canada. He holds degrees from UBC and Yale, along with an honorary Doctor of Laws from Royal Roads University.

A widely published economist, Jock has authored two books and more than 50 articles and commentaries, and is a frequent contributor to Business in Vancouver, the Globe and Mail, Black Press, and other media.

He has served on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Canada, the National Statistics Council, and several national research and policy organizations. Jock is a Senior Fellow at the Fraser Institute and a Fellow of Royal Roads University.

Jock Finlayson

 

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