“Right now, a shortage of jobs, not workers is the headline,” economist Jim Stanford warns, and July’s Labour Pulse puts that shift under the microscope. We break down how B.C added another 5 000 jobs yet still saw construction vacancies fall to ≈3 %, why the provincial unemployment rate slid to 5.6 % while wages held a lofty $37.62/hr, and what fast-track legislation means for the 18 “priority” builds now lining up. From Vancouver Island’s tight 5.4 % jobless rate to the Northeast’s surplus crews, this one-minute brief shows where the talent really is.

Breaking ground on a new home can be fraught with challenges, as lumber prices surge unexpectedly or essential components become scarce. This isn't a hypothetical fear for many in Canadian construction; it's the daily reality. The cost of building a home has never been higher, up an astounding 51% since Q1 of 2020 (RBC Thought Leadership). This surge stems from a perfect storm of factors, including escalating labour costs, material shortages, and a complex global economic landscape. It's a challenge reshaping Canada's housing affordability and the very fabric of our construction industry.Why the Costs Keep Climbing