After a snap election left Premier John Horgan’s BC NDP party with a historic majority government, several construction industry leaders gave their analysis on what the shift means for the sector.
The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) is eager to meet with Horgan to discuss adjustments to policy, but fear old issues will remain and new ones could be on the horizon.
“Our number one defining issue was John Horgan’s so-called Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) regime,” said Darrel Reid, PCA’s vice-president of public affairs. “We did everything we could to raise this issue during the campaign and obviously we were not successful, so we are obviously disappointed with the result.”
When asked about efforts from the PCA and other construction groups to challenge the CBA policy in court, Reid said they will continue.
“We are sticking to our guns on that,” said Reid. “You will see that move ahead in the future. So far the courts have never dealt with the substance of arguments. We think it’s a Charter issue. We are going to be moving ahead on that case in B.C., and possibly beyond B.C.”
In his first press conference after the victory, Horgan promised to avoid partisanship in trying to overcome the province’s challenges.
“I’ll be influenced by good ideas wherever they come from,” said Horgan. “I don’t care where an idea comes from, if it makes sense we’re going to implement it. That’s how I will approach working with all members of the legislature.”
Reid said he hopes Horgan’s statements are sincere and he will work with the construction industry to revise the CBA policy so workers do not have to join a Building Trades union.
The NDP majority could lead to new battles for the PCA, Reid noted. The NDP could decide to move forward with labour code changes, like open periods, that could create more red tape and costs.
The PCA is also concerned the NDP could move ahead with compulsory trades.
“Our position has always been we want those decisions to be evidence based, not ideologically based,” said Reid. “If there is a sound empirical argument on safety grounds, we would love to see the evidence. It was clear the government before the election was taking an ideological approach. This will make labour more expensive, compliance more expensive, and reduce productivity.”
When asked about the results, the BC Construction Association (BCCA) reaffirmed its commitment to being a non-partisan organization, but advised the province’s leaders to address five major issues impacting the construction sector which include the following:
- Public sector procurement policies must ensure fair open and transparent bidding opportunities for any contractors who wish to bid.
- The rights of construction workers to Freedom of Assembly, under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, must be protected.
- Prompt payment legislation must ensure that the workers and small contractors who are the backbone of the industry — and economy — get paid on time for work completed.
- Risk and financial burden on employers through taxes and changes to safety codes, regulations, and policies must be mitigated.
- Skilled labour shortages must be addressed and new barriers to certification must not be created.
“Given that construction is the number one employer in B.C.’s goods sector, that our roughly quarter-of-a million employees and 25,000 employers deliver nearly nine per cent of provincial GDP, that the industry worked safely through the pandemic as part of the essential non-medical workforce, and that we are potentially the largest life-force for B.C.’s current and future economy, respect and attention are due,” said BCCA president Chris Atchison.
Atchison urged Horgan to address one question in the coming days: “How will you ensure that all of B.C.’s construction employers and their essential workers can continue to provide their services freely, productively, and successfully over the next four year period?”
The BC Building Trades did not respond to requests for comment by press time. While ballots in the province continue to be counted, BC Building Trades executive director and NDP candidate Andrew Mercier is projected to win in his hometown of Langley over long-time Liberal incumbent Mary Polak.
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