Tuesday, December 12, 2017

CLAC and PCA Applaud Sault Council for Supporting Fair and Open Tendering

Sault Ste. Marie, ON—CLAC and the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) are delighted by Sault Council’s overwhelming show of support for fair and open construction tendering. Council has passed a resolution to begin the process of changing its “construction employer” status.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the leadership that Councillor Matthew Shoemaker has shown on this issue as well as the tremendous support of the mayor and members of council,” says Karen Renkema, PCA public affairs manager. “We look forward to continuing to work with council to free the city from the 30-year reign of construction labour monopolies, once and for all.”

A growing and compelling body of research by the Cardus think tank shows local taxpayers have been paying a 20 to 30 percent premium on municipal construction projects. Based on the city’s own infrastructure estimates over the next three years, taxpayers could be overcharged at least $8 million for future construction work.

In addition to requesting a resolution supporting fair and open tendering, CLAC and PCA asked Sault Council to actively press for an amendment to Section 126 of Ontario’s Labour Relations Act as well as work with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) to make fair and open construction tendering a priority issue.

“We fully appreciate that the pursuit of a nonconstruction employer designation is not easy,” says Andrew Regnerus, CLAC Ontario construction coordinator. “However, it will benefit local workers, contractors, and the public by treating them more fairly and preventing the waste of millions more in tax dollars.”

CLAC and PCA Applaud Sault Council for Supporting Fair and Open Tendering

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