The recent announcement that British Columbia will fast-track 18 major mining and energy projects is a step in the right direction for economic growth for the province and the country. A strong private-sector economy, supported by projects like these will bring jobs, investment and prosperity to the province.
These mining projects are a necessary step in the right direction to strengthen British Columbia’s economy and secure its future. The thousands of skilled CLAC members working in the province’s construction industry are ready and willing to get to work constructing these nation-building projects.
As private sector resource industries do their part to strengthen our economy and British Columbia’s overall economic picture, the NDP need to do their part and demonstrate their solidarity with Canada.
Let me explain the current NDP process for how they tender many public sector infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges, transit, hospitals and everything else needed to support the movement of goods and the health of people.
Through the use of restrictive tendering practices, Premier David Eby and the NDP have given preferential treatment to American-based unions at the expense of Canadian unions. Restrictive tendering models, including Community Benefit Agreements and closed Project Labour Agreements, unfairly limit competition and drive up project costs by an estimated 20 to 30 per cent on public projects.
These policies place an unnecessary burden on taxpayers while blocking Canadian unions from fairly participating in the construction of public projects.
Instead of allowing fair and open tendering, the NDP government has chosen to support American-based Building Trades Unions, who pay many of their senior executives in U.S. dollars.
This raises serious concerns about their commitment to British Columbia’s economy.
While Canadians continue to support homegrown businesses and products, the NDP government props up foreign interests instead of inviting Canadian unions to participate in the construction of much-needed public infrastructure projects.
The impact of these restrictive policies is evident in massive cost overruns and lengthy delays on major public projects in the province, such as the Pattullo Bridge replacement project, the Cowichan District Hospital, the Highway 1 expansion and the Broadway Subway Line to name a few.
These restrictions limit opportunities for Canadian unions representing Canadian workers who deserve the opportunity to build projects paid for by their tax dollars. A commitment to fair and open tendering will contribute toward getting these projects built on time and on budget, it will respect the contributions of all construction workers and help maximize the value of each taxpayer dollar spent.
In the wake of the threat of Trump’s tariffs, if Eby truly wants to maximize the benefits of the private-sector economy, he must ensure we’re getting the best value for public-sector investments. To do this, he must adopt Fair and open tendering practices that allow Canadian unions to contribute to building our province.
It’s time to end these draconian policies and put Canadians — and British Columbians — first.
Ryan Bruce is CLAC’s government relations director. Send Industry Perspectives Op-Ed comments and column ideas to editor@journalofcommerce.com.
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