February 22, 2005

Photo courtesy JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

Construction convoy rumbles into Victoria in support of B.C. premier

By Frank Lillquist

DCN Correspondent

Even though it could be said to go with the territory, MLAs must cringe a little when they hear of a demonstration approaching the Legislature during the Speech from the Throne.

But the rumblings heard in Victoria last week were not those of discontent, but a growl of approval from a convoy of construction equipment organized by sectors of the industry to show support for the Liberal government of B.C.

The B.C. Construction Convoy mustered some 70 dump trucks, ready-mixers, flatbeds and other equipment that rolled past the Legislature in a continuous stream for 20 minutes.

The equipment was decked with posters thanking the government for what organizers call “the largest construction boom in B.C.’s history.”

The convoy was sponsored by the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) of B.C., the Canadian Home Builders Association of B.C., the B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association and the Island Equipment Owners’ Association.

“Our message today is British Columbia is better when we’re building,” said Philip Hochstein, executive vice-president of the Independent contractors and Businesses Association of B.C. “There are nearly 50,000 more British Columbians working in construction today than four years ago.”

According to ICBA, in the decade 1991-2001, B.C.’s construction workforce grew by only 2,800. Since 2001, the number of full-time construction workers in B.C. increased by 47,000.

Pat Caporale, Victoria contractor and president of B.C.’s Canadian Home Builders, said 81,000 new homes have been built in the past four years, resulting in increased jobs and an enlarged tax base to finance social services.

“The construction boom we’re seeing today was caused by more than just low interest rates, which we also had in the 1990s,” Caporale said. “There’s a confidence in the future of the province as a good place to live and invest that wasn’t there before.”

Roadbuilder president Jack Davidson called construction a bellwether for the entire economy, noting that the value of new infrastructure construction planned for B.C. in the next five years is estimated at $4.7 billion.

“The investment being made today in roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure will help drive our economy for years to come,” Davidson said.

Dave Boudewyn, president of the 130-member Island Equipment Owners’ Association, said his members have never been busier.

“Our member companies are hiring people and investing in new equipment because they’re bullish on the future,” he said.

The government of Premier Gordon Campbell is facing its first election challenge on May 17 since being swept into office in 2001 with the largest majority in B.C. history. The Liberals hold all but three seats in the 79-member legislature.

Frank Lillquist is editor of Journal of Commerce in B.C.

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