B.C. Construction Industry Leaders Optimistic Following Conservative Victory

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Following a historic election, British Columbia’s construction industry leaders express optimism about the future as the Conservative Party takes power, promising changes in infrastructure planning and public procurement.

The construction industry in British Columbia is experiencing a wave of optimism after the Conservative Party's significant victory in the recent provincial election. This political shift comes after former Premier David Eby announced a snap election on September 22, amidst turmoil within the previous Conservative leadership. With Lorne Doerkson now stepping into the role of premier-designate, there is a palpable sense of change among industry stakeholders.
Chris Atchison, president of the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA), emphasized that while the political landscape may have shifted, their core priorities remain unchanged. 'From BCCA’s perspective, our priorities haven’t changed because of this election. They remain consistent regardless of which party is in government,' Atchison stated. He highlighted the need for enhanced certainty and transparency in infrastructure planning and public procurement processes, alongside a call for predictable long-term investment strategies that would empower businesses to plan and invest with confidence.
Atchison also reaffirmed the BCCA's ongoing advocacy for prompt payment legislation, which has received Royal Assent but still requires the finalization of regulations before it can be enforced. 'This remains an immediate priority for BCCA. It’s an opportunity to build on the progress already made and bring greater payment certainty to businesses throughout the construction supply chain,' he remarked.
Dan Baxter, regional director for the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada in B.C., expressed enthusiasm about the new Conservative administration, suggesting that it heralds a return to competitive bidding practices. 'Bring in competitive bidding that gets more contractors bidding on the work and more workers working, which will obviously help to control costs and hopefully get these projects built quicker,' Baxter noted, underscoring the potential for revitalization in the industry.
The previous NDP government, led by John Horgan, had implemented Community Benefits Agreements that restricted public procurement work to certain union members, a policy opposed by the Conservatives during their campaign. Chris Gardner, president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C., called the election results a clear message from the electorate seeking change. He pointed out the troubling collapse of the residential construction market and criticized the Eby government for escalating housing prices through increased taxation and frequent changes to building codes, which he argued complicated the construction process.
Gardner expressed support for the Conservatives’ goals of reducing government spending and fostering private sector growth. He cited the ongoing debate surrounding the Massey Tunnel replacement, indicating that the Conservatives’ proposal for a bridge could be a more cost-effective solution. 'This whole thing has been a comedy of errors that we have all paid for as taxpayers and commuters,' he lamented, referencing the initial $3 billion estimate for the bridge that has ballooned to nearly $8 billion for the tunnel project.
While the B.C. Building Trades endorsed the NDP, executive director Brynn Bourke voiced hope that the new Conservative government would recognize the importance of the construction labor sector. 'The voters of B.C. have given the Conservatives a strong mandate. Expectations are high and I sincerely hope they meet this moment and deliver for working people,' Bourke stated, emphasizing the necessity for good-paying jobs, investments in trades training, and the upholding of worker rights and safety standards.
As the construction sector awaits the implementation of the new government’s policies, the industry remains focused on ensuring that the changes made will benefit all stakeholders involved, from contractors to workers, in this evolving political landscape.

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