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Conservative MLA Kiel Giddens: Cost overruns on capital projects have grown to more than $17 billion and are a combined 158 years behind schedule

IMAGE CREDIT:  Prince George Citizen 

Kiel Giddens, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie and Critic for Labour, has introduced the Public Sector Construction Projects Procurement Act, legislation aimed at ensuring publicly funded construction contracts are awarded through labour-neutral, merit-based procurement.

“Here’s the simple question: if labour shortages are driving cost overruns, why would government limit who can work on public projects?” said Giddens. “Public infrastructure belongs to all of us. The opportunity to build it should be open to every qualified worker and contractor.”

Giddens says restrictive tendering rules introduced by the NDP in 2018 through CBA’s and restrictive project labour agreements have reduced competition on many public sector capital projects by limiting who can bid based on labour affiliation. Since the NDP introduced restrictive tendering, he notes that cost overruns on capital projects have grown to more than $17 billion and are a combined 158 years behind schedule.

“At a time when families have to think carefully about every dollar, government should think like a taxpayer too,” said Giddens. “When competition is restricted, taxpayers lose. When procurement is open and fair, communities get better value and stronger accountability.”

The bill would require labour-neutral procurement for publicly funded construction projects by prohibiting public sector entities from issuing construction solicitations that require union-only labour or require a contractor to enter a specific collective agreement as a condition of bidding. It would also prevent any future government from imposing non-union-only requirements.

“The principle is straightforward: contracts should be awarded based on merit, on safety record, qualifications, experience, price, and the ability to deliver results, not a preferred labour affiliation,” said Giddens. “This is fairness for workers, because whether someone joins a particular union is their decision. And it’s fairness for taxpayers, because more competition means better value.”

“We value the important contributions of all workers, whatever their choice of union or open shop workplace,” said Giddens. “Open tendering will help deliver the schools, hospitals, bridges, and roads British Columbians are waiting for, while respecting worker choice and protecting public dollars.”   

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