b'PRESIDENTS MESSAGENEW NORMALSTILL UNCERTAINMURRAY TYSOWSKIIndustry Must be Ready to ReactRCABC PresidentT his month I would like to focus on someorNow, lets take a look at the price volatility and of the key issues our members are currentlysupplyshortagesofroofingmaterialsthathas trying to handle as we do our business on aoccurredasaresultofthepandemic.Despite day-to-day basis: the availability and pricinglumber prices easing somewhat over the last three ofroofingmaterials,theshortageofqualifiedfour months, the year-over-year price changes workers and the new normal that will be the after- on lumber and other raw materials is a staggering math of the COVID-19 pandemic. As I consider20-100 per cent, and homes are costing as much as these matters, I see a common thread between them. 20 per cent more to build. Because of a number of DespitethevaccineprogramsinCanada,factors, including the rising cost of raw materials, COVID-19 is by no means coming to an end in B.C.,this may become the norm for pricing increases in or other provinces. I want to be clear in saying thatthe future. the vaccine programs are now having a significantRisingpricesarealsoattherootofroofing positive effect on moving people beyond the devas- material shortages because of plant closings to meet tation, both economically and socially, that occurredCOVID-19restrictionsandincreasingdemand. in 2020. However, we are not out of the woods andThese shortages are causing long delays at jobsites. the roofing industry is going to see fallout fromAnd instead of improving as COVID-19 starts to COVID-19 for some time to come. In certain cases,recede, the delay in delivery times seem to be longer the new normal could see COVID-19 practices,and longer. For some products, including insulation such increased health and safety, become a perma- and shingles, the delays are sometimes five monthsnent part of future industry standards. or longer. Lets look at these issues and see how closelyAround all of this change, I am pleased to see they have intersected in our industry over the lastthat our association is showing both resilience and 18 months. survival skills in very difficult times. Though we are Thegrowingskilledlabourshortageinourexperiencing a skilled labour shortage that seems industry has been a concern for years as we strug- to be increasing, both RCABC and the Canadian gledtoattractnewpeopletofillthevacanciesRoofing Contractors Association are working with created by workers who were reaching retirement.schools, refugee groups, corrections ministries and So, with this shortfall already causing problems forother institutions to promote the roofing certified roofing companies, along comes the pandemic trade as a viable career for young people and people and its effect is making the labour shortage worse.looking for a new career. I recognize that this is a A significant number of people have re-evaluatedhard sell, however significant time and resources are their careers and many have simply not come back tobeing devoted to this effort including participation work. According to BC Industry Training Authority,in National Roofing Week that promotes the trade the active apprentices in the roofing industry areto a Canada-wide audience.down 30 per cent since before COVID-19 hit.Wecannotcontrolmaterialshortagesand Ourindustryhasembracedthehigherpricing, and it does not appear these disruptions COVID-19 standards of health and safety to protectare going away any time soon. The new normal our workers. However, now there is another healthfor our industry post-COVID-19 is still uncertain. and safety issue on the tablethe trend of generalWhat we can do is stay involved with RCABC and contractors demanding mandatory vaccination onwork together to be ahead of changes happening jobsites. Roofing companies, like other trades onin the industry and be prepared to react to these these sites, must determine how to reconcile thischanges in a timely manner.new challenge with the shortage of skilled labourersMurray Tysowski mentioned above.President, RCABC www.rcabc.org l9'