Vancouver (October 3, 2018) – The B.C. government’s plan to funnel billions of dollars in infrastructure projects to its union friends isn’t right or responsible, but it has earned the dubious distinction of ensuring public tax dollars are well wasted, according to the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada. Today, PCA launched an awareness campaign “moneywellwasted.ca” that takes aim at the government’s new infrastructure rules.
“When millions in B.C. taxpayer dollars are being intentionally wasted, the public deserves to know,” said Paul de Jong, President of the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA). “Hardworking taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay a 20 to 30 percent premium on construction projects. That’s not good value, but it sure is money well wasted.”
PCA is calling on the Horgan government to put taxpayers and skilled workers first, by scrapping its new infrastructure rules that were designed to benefit select unions. These rules force 85 percent of the province’s construction workers (who’ve chosen not to become members of the Building Trades Unions) to join and pay dues to the BTUs, in order to work on public projects. Stifling a free market system and encouraging a “one-size-fits-all” approach raises construction costs.
“We strongly encourage British Columbians to demand better treatment from their provincial government,” added de Jong. “Write to the premier, reach out to your MLA and remind them that fairness and value, not favouritism should be guiding public infrastructure policy in this province.”
To learn more about PCA’s online campaign, go to: www.moneywellwasted.ca
PCA is the voice of progressive unionized employers in Canada’s construction industry. Our member companies are responsible for 40 percent of energy and natural resource construction projects in British Columbia and Alberta and are leaders in infrastructure construction across Canada. PCA member companies employ more than 25,000 skilled construction workers in Canada, represented primarily by CLAC.
For further information, contact:
Danna O’Brien, Danna@obriencommunications.ca 416-500-0699