No excuse for mishandling of Massey Tunnel Replacement Project

Since 2019, B.C.s NDP government has been building major public infrastructure projects using a labour policy that’s failing local commuters, workers and taxpayers. Need proof? Look no further than the Massey Tunnel Replacement Project. 

 It’s a long, nightmarish commute for drivers between Richmond and Delta, or anywhere south of the Fraser River trying to get into the Lower Mainland. But it’s not only years of construction delays and traffic congestion that raise red flags over how the NDP government has handled the Massey Tunnel Replacement project, a critical piece of public infrastructure.

First, after taxpayers spent more than $60 million on engineering, consultations and preparation work, the NDP cancelled plans to build a bridge to replace the Massey Tunnel. That was back in 2017, just before construction was about to start.

Then, after deciding the old tunnel should be replaced by an eight-lane immersed tube tunnel, the NDP put a costly and regressive labour policy in place. This policy only allows contractors whose workers belong to minority Building Trades Unions to build the massive $4 billion tunnel replacement project, and many other key public projects across B.C.

Shutting good companies and thousands of local workers out of public projects runs counter to any sound fiscal policy. Restricting the pool of labour during an acute labour shortage quite simply defies logic. So does restricting competition on public projects, like the Massey Tunnel Replacement, which results in fewer bids, and higher construction costs by an average of 21 percent.

Governments across Canada understand the value of construction competition. Competition leads to more bids. That in turns reduces infrastructure costs and allows governments to build more; more hospitals, subways, affordable housing and other priority projects. If B.C. did the same, it would have the funds to keep emergency rooms open or reduce its record deficit.

But B.C.’s NDP doesn’t get it. B.C. is the only province in Canada with policies that bar construction workers and companies from building public projects that their tax dollars help fund.

If fairness and affordability really mattered to the Eby government, it would be rethinking this terrible piece of public policy. But it’s not. Now it’s up to voters to decide on Oct 19 if they want change or more of the same.

Learn more at: FairandOpenBC.ca