Vancouver, B.C. — British Columbia begins taking steps towards introducing prompt payment legislation.
This announcement has received support from the BC Construction Association (BCCA), which held its own advocacy efforts to introduce prompt payment.
“We’re pleased to see the BC government take steps toward ensuring payment certainty for the construction industry,” said Chris Atchison, president of the BCCA. “ This legislation is crucial to support, attract, and retain the investment and workforce our province and economy need to keep growing, and keep growing strong.”
Earlier this month, the BCCA released its BC Construction Industry Survey, which revealed that 91 per cent of employer respondents reported being paid late at one time this past year. Furthermore, 69 per cent of respondents stated they were not paid at least once for work completed.
The survey also showed that the value of proposed construction projects in the province has risen four per cent ( $172.5 billion) since the fall of 2024.
“Fixing the prompt payment problem will improve cash flow for British Columbians and support contractors in managing their staff, evolving supply chains and onerous regulatory regimes without taking on extra debt and financial expenses amidst an ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The B.C. government has the tools to solve this challenge but chooses not to.”
The BCCA adds that the provincial government’s delay in passing prompt payment legislation has had significant and devastating consequences for BC’s construction industry and infrastructure development.
However, the BCCA states that it is committed to working with the provincial government to advance the timely implementation of this critical legislation and stand strong for BC’s construction industry.
Prompt payment legislation has already been introduced in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia.