Resource World Magazine

50 www.resourceworld.com A P R I L / M A Y 2 0 1 6 MININGWORLD T he Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) is the voice of British Columbia's con- struction industry; it is the oldest open shop organization (union membership not required) in Canada and represents the interests of over 1,200 members. Recently, the organization has been running a television ad campaign to pres- ent the views of what Philip Hochstein, President of Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of British Columbia, calls the silent majority. Essentially, he says that ICBA is ask- ing that those who support responsible resource development join them and to get involved in numerous processes already underway. ICBA launched their on-line and television campaign in mid-January. In an interview with Resource World, Hochstein says the results have far exceeded expecta- tions. The ICBA Facebook page has become a forum for discussion where thousands have joined and signed petitions. Their message is that British Columbia has a reputation as a hard place to get things done. "Resource development, infrastructure builds, and even residential construction – all face regulatory complex- ity and intense interest-group scrutiny. Even with solid business cases and eager investors, many never make it to 'yes'." They ask, "Is this how British Columbians want things to be? Do we want to consis- tently signal to investors that they will have to get over much higher hurdles here? That even a final word on a proposal is never really final?" ICBA states that, "We've never believed that's what British Columbians want, and a recent poll by NRG Research Group clearly shows that it's not. In fact, more than two-thirds of British Columbians agree that our economy is based on resource development, and 82% feel that resource development can be balanced with the environment." Hochstein says if anyone can get it right it's Canada. We have a rigorous regula- tory environment in place. Canada has an opportunity to be a leader when it comes to showing the world how to get it right. We can have faith in our processes that keep our environment at the top of the list of priorities. ICBA says that because Canada already has a stringent regula- tory environment, "it's not surprising that fully 84% of British Columbians support responsible resource development." The association states that, in fact, with so many key advantages – abundance of resources, skilled workforce, leading-edge environmental management expertise, and a strategic position on global trade routes – there should be no better place to under- take major projects than in BC. They ask, "If we can't get them right here, where can that happen?" Support is also high for specific projects and sectors: Site C at 67%; growing the mining industry at 62%; and expanding ports at 68%. Strong support, 78%, was also expressed for infrastructure and resi- dential construction." The NRG poll demonstrates that British Columbians have a clear understanding of the scope of job creation that resource development brings, not only for resource workers themselves, but for people in other sectors such as construction and in diverse white collar fields such as account- ing, finance and sales. Enrolling your child in sports programs for example, supports community services and interests in the short and long term but, income security is necessary before families avail them- selves of such services. It is ICBA's view that when sensible and responsible proposals for new resource and infrastructure development are brought forward their proponents need to know they will have the support of the majority of British Columbians. Regulators and poli- ticians should be aware of that too. Hochstein says the majority view on these issues is too often a silent one – espe- cially in contrast to the "no to everything" movement, which consistently manages to project its voice much more loudly than the voice of individuals who support projects. He believes that with a little lead- ership this silent majority can, in a positive way, be heard and hopefully represented. It is the view of ICBA that, "We can't afford to stay silent. Our reputation as a difficult place to do business is dan- gerously and maybe even increasingly entrenched. And it's exactly that kind of reputation that can drive investment, jobs and prosperity away. The majority in the province needs to make its voice heard." Recently ICBA presented a petition to the BC Liberal Government with over 6,000 signatures in favour of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. Hochstein said, "the petition is yet another indication that majority of British Columbians understand the importance of resource development to the province and the country. We collected those signa- tures in just a few short weeks. If we took more time we would have 100 times that number. Future efforts will be focused on alert- ing those who have signed up to the other projects that need public support. The Ajax Mine in Kamloops is in the middle of its environmental review process and it needs local people to come out. Port Metro Vancouver is planning a major expansion and those in favour have to get out and show their support. In March, truck rallies The ICBa campaign for yes by Kathrine Moore

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