Tuesday, April 14, 2026

CLAC Urges BC Government to Adopt Fair Tendering for Public Construction Projects

VICTORIA, BC—CLAC is calling on the BC government to adopt fair and open tendering policies as construction workers and industry representatives gathered at the BC Legislature on Monday, following second reading of a private member’s bill introduced last month by Conservative MLA Kiel Giddens.

Mr. Giddens’ bill—the Public Sector Construction Projects Procurement Act—would require labour-neutral procurement on all public-sector construction projects in British Columbia. The proposed legislation would prohibit the government and Crown corporations from issuing tenders that restrict bidding to Building Trades Unions or require contractors to enter into specific collective agreements as a condition of bidding.

“The workers we represent are skilled, safe, and efficient—and they’re ready to go to work in this province,” says Ryan Bruce, CLAC’s government relations director. “British Columbians have the right to unionize, and they also have the right not to. When people are excluded from public projects based on their union choice, that is wrong, and it must stop.”

The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA), which represents companies building major energy, natural resource, and infrastructure projects across the country, says the legislation would restore fairness and competition. PCA argues that BC’s community benefits agreement model excludes many qualified contractors and tradespeople based on labour affiliation rather than skill, safety, or experience, driving up costs and limiting participation.

“Workers should not be forced into a government preferred union model to work on projects funded by their own tax dollars,” says Paul de Jong, president and CEO of PCA. “That undermines freedom of association, shuts out qualified people, and works against the province’s need to deliver more infrastructure.”

PCA says labour-neutral procurement would increase competition, improve value for taxpayers, and reduce the risk of project delays and cost overruns at a time when the province needs to build more schools, hospitals, and transportation infrastructure.

Open procurement is also critical to creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous workers and Indigenous-owned businesses.

“When governments shut the door on a large portion of the workforce, they are also shutting out many Indigenous workers already active in the trades,” says Karen Ogen, CEO of the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance.

Monday’s press conference in Victoria included Mr. Giddens, along with representatives from ICBA and local contractors, who all called on the province to remove barriers that prevent qualified workers and companies from contributing to major public projects.

CLAC Urges BC Government to Adopt Fair Tendering for Public Construction Projects

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