Non-residential construction continues to lead the way in B.C. with 54 per cent growth in February 2011, according to recently released by Statistics Canada.

鈥淐onstruction customers have seen the value in construction pricing in the marketplace right now and they鈥檙e seizing that opportunity to get building,鈥� said Philip Hochstein, president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C.

Hochstein said the good values to be had in construction can be found a recent BTY Group , combined with ICBA on research on wages. ICBA鈥檚 wage survey showed expected increases of 2.15 per cent this year and 3.47 per cent in 2012.

On a month to month basis, the value of building permits issued in February 2011 remained steady at just under $450 million. In the non-residential sector they jumped from $118 million to $152 million.

鈥淐onstruction plays a bigger part in B.C.鈥檚 economy than in any other province,鈥� Hochstein added. 鈥淭his up-tick in permits is a strong sign that our economic recovery is on track.鈥�

鈥� Independent Contractors and Businesses Association