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January 31, 2006 - NEWS RELEASE
ICBA: Gateway project absolutely essential
Burnaby, B.C. – The Gateway transportation project announced today by the provincial government is “absolutely essential for the future of a livable and workable province” according to the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association.
“There is understandably going to be some initial sticker shock at the $3 billion cost,” says ICBA President Phil Hochstein. “But to wait or do nothing is no longer an option. The direct and hidden costs to our economy would be far greater.”
Hochstein says even though his association is predicting significant inflation on construction costs over the next decade, the government has taken that into account in planning the project.
“We have advised the government to properly sequence these large capital projects and to build in realistic contingencies into their budgets,” said Hochstein. “We are pleased to see they have listened and have done both to help mitigate the pressures of rising construction costs.”
ICBA has also been advocating for more flexible immigration policies that would allow new, skilled workers to enter the industry to assist the 50,000 new workers and trainees who have joined BC’s construction industry since 2001.
“New skilled immigrants would address the productivity deficit that we currently have before these large projects come on stream,” said Hochstein. “Of new immigrants to Canada last year, only six percent had a trade or technical skill and that has to change.”
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For more information, please contact:
Philip Hochstein, ICBA President
Office: 604.298.7795
Cell: 604.880.7700
Email: philip@icba.bc.ca
| ICBA is the voice of BC's construction industry. For further information, or if you have any questions or comments regarding this article, please contact ICBA. |
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