Jump on board with municipal council, say contractors

NEWS RELEASE
PROGRESSIVE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
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The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) is urging all local candidates in the upcoming Ontario election to support a change in provincial laws that would save tax dollars and allow the City to maximize its infrastructure investments.

“Sault Council is doing its part to shut down construction labour monopolies, and we’re urging local candidates to do the same,” said Karen Renkema, Public Affairs Manager at the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA). “Supporting a small change to the Ontario Labour Relations Act translates into huge savings for taxpayers in this City.”

Sault Ste. Marie is currently designated as a “construction employer” which prevents up to 70 percent of local qualified local companies and workers from bidding and working on municipal construction projects. Research shows this lack of competition has driven up infrastructure costs by 20 to 30 per cent. The City has estimated that taxpayers could save up to $8 million over the next three years by opening up construction tendering.

“A provincial law that shuts out workers and make construction projects more expensive is just plain wrong,” added Renkema. “Those who form the next Ontario government have an opportunity to treat their constituents fairly, by closing this loophole and preventing the further waste of local tax dollars.”

Sault Council passed a motion by Councillor Matthew Shoemaker in January that called on the provincial labour minister and local MPP to work to amend Section 126 of Ontario’s Labour Relations Act.

A Forum Research poll commissioned by PCA shows 78 per cent of Sault residents believe fairness for taxpayers and better value for infrastructure investments should be a priority in this provincial election.

PCA is the voice of progressive unionized employers in Canada’s construction industry. PCA member companies are leaders in infrastructure construction across Canada, employing more than 25,000 skilled construction workers who are represented primarily by CLAC. PCA promotes fair and open construction tendering in ALL Ontario municipalities.

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