Among all other provinces, British Columbia recorded the largest year-over-year employment increase at 18,200 workers.
BRITISH COLUMBIA – Canada’s construction labour force decreased minimally in September, down slightly from 1.73 million in August, 2024 to just under 1.7 million.
The Labour Market Corner, presented by BuildForce Canada, shows that the numbers reflect an ongoing expansion in the supply of workers in the construction industry, driven by sustained demand for skilled labour across infrastructure, residential, and commercial projects.
Employment in the construction sector increased from just over 1.61 million in September 2023 to just over 1.64 million in August 2024, before dropping slightly to just over 1.62 million in September 2024. BuildForce Canada states that while this modest decline indicates a slight softening in the construction labour market as the season shifts, employment levels still surpassed those of the previous year. This suggests that the construction industry continues to create jobs, albeit at a pace that lags slightly behind labour force growth.
Among all other provinces, British Columbia recorded the largest year-over-year employment increase at 18,200 workers, or 8.1%. Also reporting large gains were Quebec (15,900; 4.8%), Nova Scotia (6,500; 17.2%), and Alberta (5,400; 2.2%).
The unemployment rate in the construction industry increased by 1.1 percentage points, rising from just over 3.3% in September 2023 to just under 4.7% in August 2024, before improving slightly to just over 4.4% in September 2024. The rise in unemployment earlier in the year can be attributed to the faster growth of the construction labour force relative to job creation. However, the slight decrease in the unemployment rate in September suggests that, while the labour force has contracted somewhat, employment opportunities remain strong enough to absorb a portion of the available workers.
The greatest growth in employment over the past year occurred among the youngest demographic, those aged 15 to 24 years. Both the employment and labour force figures increased significantly within this group, with the labour force growing by 21.7% (an increase of 38,200 workers) and employment rising by 24.4% (an increase of 40,600 workers). This substantial increase highlights a surge in young workers participating in and contributing to the construction sector over the past year.
Conversely, the data shows a marked contraction in employment among core-aged workers, those aged 25 to 54 years. The labour force in this group declined by 0.3% (a decrease of 3,800 workers), while employment dropped by 2.3% (a loss of 25,600 workers). This decline suggests challenges in retaining or increasing employment levels among prime working-age individuals in the construction industry.
For workers aged 55 years and over, both the labour force and employment contracted slightly. The labour force declined by 0.6% (a decrease of 2,100 workers), while employment dropped by 0.7% (a decrease of 2,200 workers), indicating a modest reduction in participation and employment for older workers in the sector.
New Green Roof Guarantee Program
Photo credit: ZinCo Canada Inc.
The Roofing Contractors Association of BC (RCABC) has announced the launch of the new RoofStar Vegetated Roof Guarantee, a quality assurance program designed in partnership with green roof manufacturers.
The program is built around the same core principles as RCABC’s RoofStar Guarantee which has been protecting building owners since 1960. It provides owners with the assurance that quality materials will be installed to specific, industry-leading standards by RCABC member roofing contractors. The new program also includes mandatory maintenance of vegetated roofs.
“We’re very proud that RCABC is setting a new gold standard in the roofing industry when it comes to providing consumer protection for green roof installation. We’re not only offering peace of mind to building owners, we’re training the next generation of vegetated roof contractors to equip them with the latest tools and techniques in this emerging sector of our industry,” says Bryan Wallner, CEO of RCABC.
BCCA Employee Benefit Trust Donates To Health Groups
Rory Kulmala
In celebration of its 55th anniversary, the British Columbia Construction Association Employee Benefit Trust (BCCA EBT) has announced charitable donations of $5,500 to each of three vital organizations that represent and support causes that align closely with the top health claims received from its members: the BC Mental Health Foundation, the BC Diabetes Foundation, and the BC Cancer Foundation.
The donations are in celebration of the BCCA EBT’s 55th anniversary. The organization has supported the health outcomes of its members, which now include more than 9,000 employees at 500 businesses.
Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association, says “Personally, I can attest to the value of the Employee Benefit Trust. During a particularly challenging time, when my family and I faced some health issues, the support and coverage we received made a significant difference. It allowed us to focus on recovery without the added stress of financial burden—a true testament to the meaningful support our Trust provides.”
Nicole Bryant, CEO of the Northern Regional Construction Association, adds “The BCCA Employee Benefit Trust has been a significant support for the northern construction industry, ensuring that businesses can offer valuable health benefits that meet the needs of their employees.”
Clifford Kshyk, CEO of the Southern Interior Construction Association, notes “We have been told by pharmacists that our program through BCCA Employee Benefits is the best they have ever seen. The health benefits go beyond just prescriptions, covering dental, chiropractic services, family services, virtual mental health care, chronic disease management, and more.”
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