PCA WELCOMES NEW MANITOBA GOV’T AND COMMITMENT TO OPEN TENDERING

EDMONTON, Apr 20, 2016 – The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) today welcomed Brian Pallister as Premier of Manitoba, the first new government in Manitoba since Gary Doer first won in 1999.

“We think Premier Pallister will bring great leadership to Manitoba,” said PCA President Paul de Jong.  “Not the least of which is his commitment to change the tendering process in Manitoba to a more open and fair process that will bring value to taxpayers.”

During the election, Pallister committed to Level the tendering playing field by opening government tenders to all labour models, eliminating the policy of forced unionization, and bringing in a policy of secret ballot vote in workplaces.  Together with a commitment to investing $1 billion every year in infrastructure, PCA members are well positions to help build Manitoba.

“PCA welcomes these significant changes, and as public projects become available to bid on, our members will work hard to ensure the taxpayer receives best value for dollar on any projects they are involved in,” said de Jong.

“We look forward to working with Premier Pallister and his caucus as they seek to rebuild Manitoba into an economic and social leader in Canada.”

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About the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA)

PCA is the voice of progressive unionized employers in Canada’s construction industry. PCA member companies employ more than 25,000 skilled construction workers across Canada, represented primarily by CLAC. PCA member companies are responsible for 40 percent of energy and natural resource construction projects in Western Canada and are leaders in infrastructure construction across Canada.

PCA’s goal is to ensure that Canada has a fair and open construction industry, cooperative labour relations, and a robust, inclusive and highly-capable workforce. PCA believes in open competition in which no sector is given artificial and unfair advantage over another on the basis of union affiliation or lack thereof.

For further information or media inquiries contact Mike Martens, Director of Public Affairs at mmartens@pcac.ca or (403) 200-7598.