BC Construction Association
  • Industry Priorities
    • US Tariffs
    • Prompt Payment
    • Removal of “Contract A”
    • Public Sector Procurement
    • Skilled Workforce Development
    • Truth and Reconciliation
    • View All Priorities…
    • BCCA Policy Statements
  • Project Delivery
    • BidCentral
    • Standard Documents
    • Builders Lien & Closeout
      • Builders Lien
      • Closeout Guide
    • Read Your Contract
    • Guide to BC Trade Definitions
    • Public Sector Procurement
      • Public Sector Projects Tip Line
      • Capital Asset Management Framework
      • Owners Only
    • Construction Files
  • Skilled Workforce
    • Builders Life TalentCentral
    • BCCA Employee Benefits
    • BCCA Integrating Newcomers
    • BCCA Past Chair Legacy Fund
    • Building Builders
    • Builders Code
    • Connect
    • Future Builders: Green Energy Installation
    • Honour the Work
    • LNG Canada Trades Training Fund
    • Safety
    • Skilled Trades Employment Program
    • Archived Programs
  • News & Publications
    • News
    • BCCA Podcasts
      • Inside Construction
      • Legends of Construction
    • Stat Packs & Data
    • Reports
    • Resources
      • Guides
    • Events
      • Members Only
  • About BCCA
    • 50 Years: 1970-2020
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
      • BCCA Board Members Only
    • Annual Reports
    • Strategic Plan
    • Industry Representation
    • Committees
    • Government Relations
    • Regional Associations
    • Network & Partners
    • Careers at BCCA
    • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Member
    • Employee Benefit Programs
    • Safety
      • Site Ready BC Registration
      • The Tailgate Toolkit
    • Training
      • LNG Canada Trades Training Fund
      • SiteReady BC Safety Training
      • Low-Carbon Training Program
      • Builders Code Workplace Culture Training
      • Regional Construction Associations: Education and Training
    • Construction Month
    • Take a Survey
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu
March 27, 2023

A Letter to BC’s Construction Contractors

Contractors are working harder than ever but not always getting ahead, often due to issues related to non-payment and late payment, or unfair contract terms.

Construction and Skilled Trades Month is a great opportunity to recognize the 236,000 British Columbians who keep this essential industry going and make a hefty contribution to the provincial economy.

It’s also important to recognize that our industry is under a lot of pressure and carrying a ton of risk. You’re under pressure to build more and faster, despite skilled workforce shortages and skyrocketing costs.

Contractors are working harder than ever but not always getting ahead, often due to issues related to non-payment and late payment, or unfair contract terms.

The result is that continued investment in infrastructure – including much-needed multi-unit housing – is becoming a catch-22 for all of BC’s contractors.  Without complementary measures to reduce the extreme financial risks of late or non-payment our contractors and their workers face preventable financial hardship.

It sometimes surprises people to learn that 90% of BC construction businesses have less than 20 employees. If you’re a small contracting business that’s struggling, you may feel trapped.  Sure, demand for your services is high. But the economic situation is tough and without guaranteed timely payment, there can be too much risk.

At BCCA we think the most important actions government can take are:

  1. Introduce prompt payment legislation to normalize standard, reasonable payment terms of 30 days, ensure your proper invoices are paid, and give clear rights to your lien holdback monies.
  2. Make public sector projects more attractive to industry by having fair, open and transparent procurement processes, and reasonable contract conditions.
  3. Speed up the permit process with the authorities having jurisdiction, including municipalities and BC Hydro.

These are improvements that will serve everyone in industry, open shop and union.

No amount of infrastructure investment will succeed if we don’t reduce the pressures on BC’s builders. You can’t build the hospitals, the schools, the transit networks, the housing, if you can’t count on getting paid for the work you do.

As we gather for Construction Month this year, I know that many of you are feeling the forces of change very strongly.

Whatever 2023 brings, BCCA, the four Regional Construction Associations, and our workforce development partners like LNG Canada, are committed to serving the needs of the people who work hard in our industry. We’re offering BC’s contractors free, valuable products and services to support your operations and build a stronger bottom line. You can learn more about what we do, including an opportunity to claim up to $40,000 in unrestricted cash by registering 1st-year apprentices, at www.bccassn.com/as.

Thank you for all you do for BC’s construction industry. Your dedication and expertise is crucial for the social and economic health of our province. BCCA is here for you.

Sincerely,

Chris Atchison
President
BCCA

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
  • All News
    • News Releases
    • Official Statements
    • Industry Priority Updates
      • View all Industry Priorities
    • Other News

Keyword Search

Search Search

Sign Up for our Newsletter!

Be sure to subscribe to our monthly BCCA Briefing to get the latest on important topics like prompt payment and compulsory trades.

Affiliated Construction Associations

© 2025 BC Construction Association. All Rights Reserved.

Contact / Careers / Privacy Policy

© Copyright - BC Construction Association - powered by Enfold WordPress Theme
  • Link to X
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Mail
Link to: Construction Safety & Substance Use: BluePrint for Action in BC Link to: Construction Safety & Substance Use: BluePrint for Action in BC Construction Safety & Substance Use: BluePrint for Action in BC Link to: Federal Budget Release on March 28, 2023 Link to: Federal Budget Release on March 28, 2023 Federal Budget Release on March 28, 2023
Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top

Builders Life | Skilled Trades Employment Program

Builders Life - STEP Form

Name(Required)
I would like to receive updates about Builders Life related to Workforce Solutions, Project Delivery, and Construction Industry News from the BC Construction Association.

Builders Life | Skilled Trades Employment Program

Builders Life - STEP Form

Name(Required)
I would like to receive updates about Builders Life related to Workforce Solutions, Project Delivery, and Construction Industry News from the BC Construction Association.

Builders Life | Building Builders – Mentee

Builders Life - Building Builders Form

Name(Required)
I would like to receive updates about Builders Life related to Workforce Solutions, Project Delivery, and Construction Industry News from the BC Construction Association.

Builders Life | BCCA – Integrating Newcomers

Builders Life - Integrating Newcomers Form

Name(Required)
The Unique Client Identifier (UCI) number is a client reference number listed on official documents from the today’s experts with tomorrow’s leaders. Whether you’re just considering a career in the Government of Canada. The UCI is an 8 or 10 digit number (Example: 0000-0000 or 00-0000-0000).
I would like to receive updates about Builders Life related to Workforce Solutions, Project Delivery, and Construction Industry News from the BC Construction Association.

Builders Life | CONNECT

Builders Life - CONNECT Form

Name(Required)
I would like to receive updates about Builders Life related to Workforce Solutions, Project Delivery, and Construction Industry News from the BC Construction Association.