Workers across BC are speaking out, sharing personal stories from projects that have shaped their livelihoods
For immediate release
April 13, 2026
VICTORIA – The BC Building Trades are escalating pressure ahead of today’s debate, delivering a 2,600+ signature petition urging the BC Conservatives to withdraw their Anti-CBA/PLA bill and stand with BC workers to protect local jobs.
“The BC Conservatives’ bill is nothing short of an attack on good-paying local jobs that support families and communities. We’re here in Victoria today, calling on MLAs to vote against this harmful bill,” said Brynn Bourke, Executive Director for the BC Building Trades.
“British Columbians, especially those in the skilled trades, expect public infrastructure projects to prioritize local hiring, create apprenticeship opportunities for young people, and deliver family-supporting wages,” Bourke added. “Community Benefits Agreements have delivered on that promise: 94 per cent of project hours have been worked by B.C. residents, and more than 1,550 trainees and apprentices have been employed.”
“That’s in stark contrast to the old way of doing business when labour was sourced outside B.C. through the Temporary Foreign Worker program and job sites were full of out-of-province license plates.”
A large delegation of construction workers will be in the Legislature gallery today, closely watching the debate unfold.
Quotes from Workers:
Sydney Stratton, Red Seal Ironworker on the Pattullo Bridge project –
“Working under a CBA, I was able to guarantee apprenticeship hours, a good wage, and work under qualified journeymen that taught me everything I needed to know. I am shocked the Conservative Party would try to take away these jobs and opportunities from people like me, and my brothers and sisters, who share similar stories.”
Alex Robertshaw, Red Seal Electrician on the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement project –
“I’m currently working on the new Cowichan Hospital, a Community Benefit project just north of Duncan. There are many important differences that project labour agreements like the Cowichan Hospital brings. For example, good wages, good benefits, and good retirement funding for local trades workers.”
Fernie Mina Guerrero, carpenter on the Surrey-Langley Skytrain project –
“These projects have helped me raise a family, and most importantly work and stay in the city where I grew up.”
Katie Bowdring, mom of four and Level Two Carpentry Apprentice on the Broadway Subway project –
“My job allows me to not only survive but thrive. I have a great wage, benefits, and a pension, which gives me the means to take care of my family on my own and helps me plan for the future.”
Jean Panneton, labourer on the Kicking Horse Canyon Phase 4 project –
“The project was right in my back yard and I wanted to give back as a mentor to younger people. And the money I earned helped me purchase and complete our retirement home in Golden, while putting money back into the local economy. I’ve seen how it’s changed the culture for the better. There are more women and young people on these jobs, and the jobs are safer.”
Shane Roberts, labourer on the Broadway Subway project –
“That job was crucial to me stepping back into the workforce after taking time off to raise my daughter. The benefits and the hours allow me to be a parent to my daughter. I’m so grateful to be in the union. Since I’ve joined it’s been an asset for me as a single parent. It’s helped me support my daughter. This is people’s livelihoods they are playing with.”
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Media Contact
Layne Clark, BC Building Trades, Director of Workforce Development
604-908-0239
Background:
The BC Building Trades represents 50,000 unionized construction workers in BC, who make up approximately 50% of the province’s non-residential construction labour workforce.
Project Labour Agreements have been successfully used for decades in BC, starting with the construction of BC Hydro’s W.A.C. Bennett Dam in 1963, under a Social Credit government.
BC Building Trades members are currently working on major CBA and PLA public projects like the Broadway Subway line, Surrey-Langley Skytrain, stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge (Pattullo Bridge) and the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement project.
To date, 94% of all hours on CBA projects have been worked by British Columbians, with 81% of all hours worked by those who live within 100km of the project. 1,550+ trainees and apprentices have been employed through CBA projects and CBA projects have a 98% success rate in filling skilled trades positions on-time.
In March, the BC Building Trades launched a campaign to protect these agreements and the local jobs they create. The campaign website is ProtectBCJobs.ca.