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October 2, 2008
ICBA says investment in infrastructure and changes to labour policies
are needed to keep British columbia competitive
Burnaby, BC – The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) today told the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services that in these times of economic volatility, it is more important than ever that the provincial government focus on investing in infrastructure, lowering taxes and reducing barriers to trade and labour mobility to keep British Columbia competitive.
“The BC Liberal Government has got it right on the big picture issues like lowering taxes, investing in infrastructure and working to reduce barriers to trade and labour mobility,” said Philip Hochstein, President of the ICBA. “And as we enter the next budget cycle in tightening world economic conditions, ICBA believes we should focus even more on these priorities.”
Hochstein noted that the government prudently held back on some major infrastructure projects while the market was overheated. However, with the economy slowing, he said the construction industry now has the capacity to take on new public sector infrastructure projects and help keep people working and the economy growing.
“We also need to take a look at our Labour Code and get it in line with the rest of the world,” Hochstein added. “We would like to see BC take the lead in Canada in establishing a Labour Code that gives unions back to workers instead of ideological labour bosses. The rest of the world has taken this step and never looked back. If we don’t, we will get left behind in an increasingly global and competitive labour marketplace.”
On the issue of labour mobility, ICBA believes that government must break down barriers. While much of the responsibility for this rests with the federal government, ICBA also believes that the province has a role to play in working with other premiers and the federal government to work towards greater labour mobility with the United States.
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For more information, contact:
Philip Hochstein, President of the ICBA
Tel: 604-561-9402
About ICBA
ICBA services and represents B.C.’s construction sector. ICBA’s members — who include both the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) and residential construction sectors — are involved in virtually all major capital projects in British Columbia. www.icba.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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