BC NDP fires back at Liberals Massey promise

VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC NDP has responded to the BC Liberal’s election promise to replace the George Massey Tunnel with an assurance plans for a new toll-free crossing are “well underway” with final approval likely by the end of the year.

Any change would risk major delays, loss of federal financing, and “set the project back years,” a BC NDP statement said.

“Meanwhile, the BC Liberals are again criticizing Community Benefit Agreements (CBA) that are nearly identical to Project Labour Agreements (PLA) they signed when in government,” the release stated.

Major government infrastructure projects such as the Pattullo Bridge and the Broadway Skytrain project currently operate under CBAs. On Oct. 5 the BC Liberals announced an $8 billion RebuildBC plan which would include replacement of the George Massey Tunnel and would eschew use of a CBA to build the project.

The BC NDP cited seven dams built under PLAs:

• Seven Mile Unit #4 – Seismic Upgrade (2003)
• Brilliant Power Plant (2007)
• Revelstoke Unit #5 (2011)
• Mica Unit #5 (2014)
• Waneta Power Plant (2015)
• Mica Unit #6 (2016)
• John Hart Generating Station (2018)

The release said at these projects, workers had to join one of 19 building trades as is also required under current CBAs.

The B.C. provincial election takes place on Oct. 24. Early voting has already begun by mail and at electoral district offices.