Tuesday, January 23, 2018

CLAC and PCA Support Sault Council Call for Ontario Labour Law Change

Sault Ste. Marie, ON—CLAC and the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) are fully behind Sault Council’s latest effort to end construction labour monopolies. Council has passed a motion by Councillor Matthew Shoemaker that calls on Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano and Ontario Labour Minister Kevin Flynn to work to amend Section 126 of Ontario’s Labour Relations Act. This would open up construction tendering so that all qualified contractors and workers have the chance to work on city construction projects.

“We applaud Council and Councillor Shoemaker for taking the next step in ending the 30-year reign of construction labour monopolies,” says Ian DeWaard, CLAC Ontario Director. “Council recognizes that it’s time all qualified local workers, regardless of union affiliation, are allowed to work on projects in their own communities.”

Currently, Sault Ste. Marie is designated as a “construction employer,” which prevents up to 70 percent of qualified contractors from bidding on local projects. This lack of competition drives up construction costs. Based on the city’s own infrastructure estimates over the next three years, taxpayers could save up to $8 million by changing the way future construction projects are tendered.

“Sault Council’s stand could have major benefits beyond this city,” says Karen Renkema, public affairs manager at PCA. “A small change in Ontario’s labour laws translates into huge tax savings and a giant step forward in gaining greater fairness for taxpayers, workers, and contractors across the entire province.”

CLAC and PCA Support Sault Council Call for Ontario Labour Law Change

You might be interested in