The top three challenges in B.C. construction are securing new projects, declining margins, project approval and permitting times.
“Securing new projects has become the number one issue,” said Chris Gardner, president and CEO of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA). “The price of everything is going up – it is squeezing contractors…and red tape, regulations and building codes are constantly changing.”
During his annual outlook breakfast at Buildex Vancouver 2026, he painted a bleak picture for the year ahead, saying members see “no light at the end of the tunnel in 2026” and 2027 looks to be challenging as well.
“The real story of construction in the last 18-24 months has been the collapse of housing construction in B.C. and certainly in the Lower Mainland,” he said. “We have not moved the needle on getting more supply into the market. We are in a crisis.”
Many opportunities in B.C. exist such as the mining, oil and gas and energy sectors but government is not taking advantage and even worse, failing to support those projects, stressed Gardner, citing for example the District of Squamish’s continued opposition to the multibillion-dollar Woodfibre LNG project.
He argued that B.C. has an abundance of energy and resources that the world needs, but is not acting quickly enough to develop them. Canada is also losing economic opportunity for the domestic steel sector by having to import large steel pipes used in infrastructure projects from Germany and Japan, said Gardner.
Another significant issue creating “confusion and uncertainty” for the construction industry is the recent court decision on the evolving landscape of Indigenous rights and title. Both are critical to attracting investment, enabling development, and ensuring British Columbia can compete globally while building a stronger economy.
The August 2025 B.C. Supreme Court Cowichan Tribes v. Canada landmark decision has created a “fire storm” and raised questions about “what is the status of private property in B.C.,” said Gardner, adding there are many other Indigenous legal claims.
This year’s CEO breakfast theme, Indigenous Rights and Title: What’s Next?, was the topic of discussion for a panel of legal experts and Vaughn Palmer, who offered insight into where things stand and where they are headed.
Cheryl Mah is managing editor of Construction Business
