The Independent Contractors and Business Association says the provincial budget proves one thing – there are serious concerns in the housing construction industry.

ICBA spokesperson Jordan Bateman says the budget has property transfer tax revenue flatlining while forecasting moderate economic growth, which doesn’t add up.

“The warning light in this budget is housing starts,” he said. “They are predicting a one-third drop in housing starts and we’re in the middle of it over these three years. Construction employs over a quarter million people – the vast majority of those people work in home construction. If they start getting less and less work, this is a problem for the BC economy going forward.”

Bateman says housing construction employs a lot of people increasing the economic risk if the sector slows or stalls.

“One place where we commiserate with the Finance Minister when she complained about how long it takes to get modular housing out there,” Bateman added. “It is taking that long because municipalities are trying it up with red tape.”

“We wish she would be more serious about addressing that red tape with mayors and councils rather than just complaining about it.”

Bateman says they still don’t know what effect the Justin Trudeau rules and Carole James’ housing tax has had on the economy.