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British Columbia Models the Value of Community Benefit Agreements:
An Interview with Premier John Horgan
Interview Organized By: Tom Sigurdson, Executive Director of BC Building Trades.

In a historical move, John Horgan, leader of the NDP in BC, Some industry associations have reacted negatively to CBAs, but
became the 36th Premier of the Province, after the Liberals under the model is very similar to project labour agreements used on
Christie Clark lost a vote of confidence, resulting in the NDP and public infrastructure projects in the past, like those built using the
Green Party forming an alliance, of sorts. Since then, the Allied Hydro Agreement.
Government in British Columbia has made some historical moves,
Question:
like ensuring all public projects include Collective Bargaining
Your government has made investing in products like engineered
Agreements, changing the rules around timber construction, and
wood a priority, for mass timber construction. You have also
working to address the shortage of skilled trades workers. Premier
modified building codes to allow for larger buildings to be erected.
Horgan took some time to sit down with Building Trades Magazine
Why has this been a focus and how will it benefit British
and answer our questions.
Columbians?
Question:
Premier Horgan:
Your government is a champion of Community Benefit
I’m proud that we made B.C. the first province to allow mass
Agreements, amongst other things. So much so that you were
timber construction up to 12 stories. We're using mass timber in
awarded a CBTU Distinction Award for your work in this area. Why
major public projects like the new St Paul’s Hospital and the Royal
do you support CBAs and what is the economic benefits of them?
B.C. Museum expansion. Our government is working with
Premier Horgan: communities to build safe, secure and green tall wood buildings
We’re using Community Benefits Agreement (CBAs) because we to create jobs, grow BC’s value-added sector and realize our low
the people of B.C. should benefit when we invest in major projects carbon future.
and public infrastructure. By offering apprenticeship and training
Question:
opportunities on public projects, we're helping to fix the chronic
You have developed a close working relationship with the Building
shortage of skilled tradespeople in our province and offering
Trades affiliates, it is rumored that you may even carry around an
opportunities for workers underrepresented in the trades. CBAs
IBEW Challenge Coin. Why are these relationships important and
provide good-paying, stable jobs, and opportunities on local
why do you demonstrate support for skilled trades?
projects for local residents, women, Indigenous people, and
apprentices. Premier Horgan:
That’s right, I have an IBEW Challenge Coin in my pocket at all
Question:
times. I don’t think I’ve ever been caught without it. I value my
Over a year after your government enacted the Community Benefit
relationships with tradespeople because – as well as being my
Agreement Policy, what have been some of the positive, and
friends and neighbours – their work helps build this province we’re
negative effects of this policy?
all so proud of. Tradespeople construct the hospitals and schools
Premier Horgan: that serve British Columbians and they build the roads and bridges
Community Benefits Agreements put local people first in line for that move people around our province. Tradespeople understand
work. We have begun work on Highway 1 and have committed to by working hard, together, we build the BC that we want.
building the Pattullo Bridge and Broadway SkyTrain line using
Question:
CBAs. This year, we funded over 27,000 training seats through
The BC Government has made substantial strides in promoting
the Industry Training Authority and we’ve increased the number of
women in the trades – including through the BC Centre for Women
employer sponsors, so more apprentices gain on-the-job
in Trades. Why is this a priority and what impact do you hope it
experience and earn their Certificate of Qualification.
will have on the construction industry?
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