Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver was instrumental in passing the sub amendment to the Bill introduced by Greg Kyllo, which reduces the “raiding” open period in construction from July and August every year to once every three years only.
BCCA played a significant role in educating Andrew Weaver on the issues of concern to our industry.
The sub-amendment was passed 44-40.
To quote excerpts from Andrew Weaver in the House today:
“Over the last few months, my colleagues, staff and I engaged with numerous stakeholders to develop a deeper understanding about the various forces at play in this issue of labour policy. The B.C. Green caucus understands the profoundly unique nature of the construction industry.
We understand that there are unions like CMAW, like IUOE and others who actually are end-to-end project unions. We know, also, that present rules within the B.C. Federation of Labour do not allow unions to raid other unions in the Federation. So in the spirit of fairness and openness and transparency, this, to us, must be collectively addressed.
More than anything, we believe, as a caucus, that we must end this ideological tug-of-war that has been allowed to take place in our province for far too long. It is not about union versus employer. We need a level playing field, one that’s grounded in evidence, not in ideology.”
Official Opposition House Leader Mary Polak introduced Bill M223 – Prompt Payment (Builders Lien) Act:
M. Polak: This bill will ensure that those who build our province, contractors, subcontractors and workers, are paid in a timely fashion. By setting payment deadlines, we can protect hard-working British Columbians from unexpected and unnecessary financial hardship and minimize payment disputes. If passed, this legislation will require owners to pay contractors within 28 days of receiving an invoice and contractors to pay subcontractors seven days thereafter. Ontario passed similar legislation in 2017, while Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are currently examining this issue.
MLA Polak’s motion was approved and the Bill will move to second reading.
The full details of both these discussions here – the Weaver/Bain discussion is long but interesting.