PCA voices support for new Manitoba tendering act

WINNIPEG – The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) is backing a new Manitoba bill focused on competitive project tendering.

Bill 13, the Public Sector Construction Projects (Tendering) Act, will open up bidding on public projects in Manitoba regardless of union affiliation. The previous provisions of Manitoba Project Labour Agreements required workers to join a union in order to work on large public infrastructure projects.

PCA president Paul de Jong praised the new legislation on behalf of his association.

“This legislation is about fairness. We are delighted that not only our companies, but all construction companies and their workers finally have the opportunity to build public projects in Manitoba. For far too long they’ve been shut out of projects paid for by their tax dollars,” de Jong said in a statement.

“We commend the government for recognizing the benefits of healthy construction competition. It ensures Manitoba taxpayers get good value on public projects, and that companies and workers get to build them based on the quality of their bids and performance, not which union they affiliate with. That’s the way it should be in Manitoba, and in every province.”