50 Years Of Building Opportunity.

Starting with a handful of contractors in 1975, ICBA has become one of Canada’s most influential construction associations, standing up for open shop builders for five decades.

BECOME A MEMBER    BENEFIT PLANS
Origins
Founded by Builders

In 1975, independent contractors came together to create a new voice for open shop construction in British Columbia.

Open Shop Leadership

Open Shop Leadership

For decades, ICBA has led the fight for fair, transparent bidding and open competition in construction.

Growing Our Impact

Growing Our Impact

Benefits, training, apprenticeships, economics, wellness - all built to help our members grow.
The Road Ahead
The Road Ahead

ICBA continues to expand across Western Canada, supporting builders, workers, and communities.
BORN IN THE FIGHT FOR FAIRNESS

ICBA was founded in 1975 by 169 open shop contractors who were shut out of bidding on public projects – not because of the quality of their work, but because they weren’t part of a building trade union.

They met at the Terra Nova Motor Inn in Trail, B.C., and launched a movement rooted in one simple belief: every contractor and every worker deserves a fair shot. No special deals. No closed doors. Just open competition and equal opportunity.

Since then, we’ve grown into Canada’s largest construction association. We’ve helped thousands of companies grow their businesses. We’ve stood up against closed-shop policies like the B.C. NDP Government’s so-called “Community Benefits Agreements.” And we’ve invested in the next generation by becoming the province’s #1 sponsor of trades apprentices.

  • Founded in Trail, B.C. – April 26, 1975
  • Fought to end union-only bidding rules
  • Built B.C.’s largest construction training and apprenticeship platform
  • 50 years of defending open shop principles

 

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1975

On April 26, 1975, 163 independent contractors gathered at the Terra Nova Motor Inn in Trail, B.C., and formed ICBA. Former B.C. cabinet minister and Pentecostal preacher Phil Gaglardi gave the keynote speech and predicted: “This is the start of one of the most powerful organizations ever to be organized in the Province of British Columbia.”

1984

ICBA member Kerkhoff Construction built the 12.9 million dollar provincial courthouse in Kamloops, the first major B.C. government project to go to an open shop contractor.

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1986

ICBA members won the right to build the majority of Expo 86, entrenching open shop construction in B.C. “Expo 86 was the turning point for the non union general construction industry in B.C.,” said Wilson Beck.

1997

ICBA led the fight against the NDP government’s plan for sectoral bargaining, which would have snuffed out open shop construction by giving a monopoly on construction to the unions. ICBA’s pressure forced the government to back down.

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2001

After a dismal decade of NDP government in British Columbia, a new era arrived. Gordon Campbell became B.C.’s 34th premier and entrenched fair and transparent bidding in the province.

2006

ICBA expanded on its successful hour bank insurance offering by creating ICBA Benefits Services Ltd., which has become one of Canada’s largest third party benefits administrators.

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2010

ICBA members proudly supported and built infrastructure for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler.

2017

2017 Chris Gardner hired as ICBA's third-ever president and CEO, ushering in unprecedented growth in ICBA membership, benefits business, and advocacy impact.

 
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2018

To honour ICBA’s president of 30 years, ICBA endowed the Philip Hochstein Fellowship at Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business. The million dollar endowment supports the study of free trade, open markets, and economic growth by researchers, academics, and students.

2019

ICBA won the prestigious Reed Award as North American Trade Association of the Year. ICBA earned five other Reeds for its advocacy, including North America’s Best Web Video for “Get Canada’s Big Gas Moving.”

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2025

2025 Launched with a $3 million endowment from ICBA, the ICBA Foundation supports the next generation of tradespeople and promotes mental health in the construction industry.

 

Today

ICBA represents thousands of open shop contractors, administers benefits for hundreds of thousands of Canadians, sponsors apprentices across dozens of trades, and continues to advocate for fair, open, and competitive construction markets in B.C., Alberta, and beyond.

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