Howe Sound Pulp & Paper
Empress Hotel, Victoria
BC Construction Industry
A vital part of BC's past, present and future
The construction industry and its people are an important part of British Columbia and play a major role in the growth and strength of the province. In fact, they have literally built British Columbia - from the home you live in, to the office or plant you work in, the schools your children attend, the malls you shop in, the roads and bridges you travel on, airports, hotels, churches, hospitals, hydro dams ... the list goes on and on.
Every project is a tribute to the skilled, hard-working men and women who built it. These people spend several years taking special training through trade schools and apprenticeships to earn their trade certificates.
Economic Impact
- About 125,000 people work directly in the construction industry, representing 7% of the province's workforce and earning nearly $3 billion a year.
- Total value of construction in BC averages about $15 billion a year, or 15% of the gross provincial product.
- A multiplier effect of three indirect jobs (such as suppliers of equipment and construction materials) for each direct construction job results in an even greater economic impact. These people spend most of their money in BC, generating major economic activity and paying significant amounts in taxes directly to the provincial and federal governments.
To realize its full potential, British Columbia needs a strong, efficient construction industry with highly skilled tradespeople.