In the March 29th edition of the Daily Commercial News, a letter from the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada and its partners was published. The content of the letter is listed below.
An Open Letter to the Canadian Construction Industry on the resolution of payment delays
In a St. Patrick’s Day story entitled CCA makes headway on federal prompt payment initiatives, the association’s President Michael Atkinson was quoted as saying exactly what trade contractors have known for years—that by relying on “principles” to address payment delays that “doesn’t necessarily mean it has any force and effect.” The article talked about the twelve different potential solutions to address payment delays on federal projects but failed to mention the only binding, enforceable solution: Prompt Payment Legislation.
Bill S-224, The Canada Prompt Payment Act, was introduced in the Senate over 11 months ago. The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has taken no public position on the legislation. It is clear to Canada’s trade contractors and suppliers that while a piece of legislation has been tabled that would solve the issue of payment delays with the federal government it is irresponsible for CCA to stay on the sidelines. Continuing to make progress toward changes that have no force and effect is the definition of futility.
With thousands of members affected by the issue of payment delays one would expect CCA to take the issue seriously enough to support the bill and to work toward its improvement and passing in Parliament. Payment delays drive up project costs, lead to fewer apprentices being trained, decrease the number of tradespeople being hired, and the only winners are organizations that profit from payments being withheld on work that is certified and complete. These facts speak for themselves.
That CCA has taken no position on Bill S-224 shows its members that the organization is either opposed to an enforceable solution, or that its leadership is staggeringly indifferent. Canada’s trade contractors, many of whom remain concerned members of CCA, are calling on the association to stand with the people and businesses that drive Canada’s growth and maintain the strength of our industry—CCA must publically state its position on this bill.
The letter was signed by HRAI President, Warren Heeley and senior staff from nine other participating associations within the NTCCC.
For more information please contact: Scott Papp, Manager, Divisional Programs (Contractors) at spapp@hrai.ca or 1-800-267-2231 ext. 233. To support Prompt Payment, please visit www.promptpayment.ca For general information on the NTCCC, please visit www.ntccc.ca
The National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC) was established in 2004 to provide an organized forum for Canada’s national trade organizations to share information, resources, and to collaborate on issues that are of common interest to all. The membership is currently comprised of: Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association, Canadian Masonry Contractors Association, Canadian Electrical Contractors Association, Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada, Interior Systems Contractors Association, Thermal Insulation Association of Canada, Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Institute of Canada-Contractors Division, Sheet-Metal Contractors Association, and the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction