Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

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.”   

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Okanagan Farmers Face NDP-Created Water Crisis ~~ BC Conservatives

Okanagan farmers are facing a water crisis as government-imposed restrictions threaten to kill their crops and destroy one of B.C.’s most important agricultural industries. In perhaps the most water-rich province in the country, our farmers have been left high and dry by the NDP government. For nine weeks, Okanagan and Shuswap farmers have proposed solutions, only to be met with NDP foot-dragging. Now forest fires have come to these regions as they are simultaneously reckoning with a water crisis that has been made worse through years of government inaction. Vernon-area farms have lost 70 percent of their water, while Kelowna and Summerland growers face severe restrictions. This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue. Ian Paton, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, said the NDP is once again forcing farmers to pay for its own failure to plan. "Farmers and ranchers must be listened to when decisions affecting their livelihoods are made, and under the NDP, they aren’t," said...
Post a Comment
Read more

BC Conservatives Point to Warning Signs in BC’s Economy

While Canada posted modest job gains in July, warning lights are still flashing in British Columbia. Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, leaving too many first-time jobseekers shut out of the workforce. BC also lost 3,400 public administration jobs in July, likely as temporary Census positions ended. “BC's jobs divide remains stark. Unemployment is far higher in business-driven communities like Kelowna (9.3%) and Abbotsford-Mission (8.3%) than in Victoria (5.0%). Government should be focused on creating the conditions for private-sector investment and job growth,” said Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna-Mission and Shadow Minister for Economic Development. “We need an economy where young people can find work, businesses can hire, and every region has the opportunity to prosper.” This comes as BC faces five straight quarters where more businesses are closing than opening, an NDP cabinet rift over job-creating projects like Tilbury LNG, and fresh signs that even the province's to...
Post a Comment
Read more

FORSETH: That, to me, sure seems to fit with narcissistic personality disorder – AND - a definite sense of self entitlement

I think most people are aware of why England’s Henry the 8th created the Church of England. It was out of a belief that he should be able to do anything he wanted. And what did he want?  It was a male heir that would follow him and, at his death, become the next King of England.   His marriage to Catherine had not produced one, so he demanded the Pope to allow him to divorce her.  The Pope of course refused so Henry created his own church, and declared himself the "Supreme Head of the Church of England", thereby allowing him to annul the marriage. In other words, he wanted his own way, and because he had the ultimate power in England, he forced his will over the church. Many (most?) would say people suffer like that from 'narcissistic personality disorder'. The Mayo Clinic says, “ People with this disorder may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence, they are not sure of their self-worth and are e...
5 comments
Read more

Labels

Show more