News

Toronto, February 5, 2014 – The Ontario Caucus of the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC) is launching a television advertising campaign calling on the leaders of Ontario’s minority government to pass Bill 69 – An Act respecting payments made under contracts and subcontracts in the construction industry (Prompt Payment Act, 2013).

The Private Members Bill sponsored by Vaughan MPP Steven Del Duca (Lib.) passed second reading last May with all party support, but has been stuck in committee since. The purpose of the ad campaign directed at Kathleen Wynne, Tim Hudak and Andrea Horwath is to encourage the party leaders to work together to ensure that Bill 69 moves through committee and to third reading as soon as possible after the Legislature resumes.

The Prompt Payment Act, 2013 (the “Act”) addresses the chronic and worsening problem of late payments which is putting undue risk and financial hardship on Ontario’s 40,000 construction businesses, many of them small, family owned enterprises.

Construction Contractors and Subcontractors carry substantial upfront costs for every project as well as on-going wage, benefit and material costs which are paid in “real time”, yet are waiting 70-90 days or more to be reimbursed for those costs.

“It is simply wrong that contractors and subcontractors are forced to finance the work this way and be exposed to financial risk, just because someone isn’t paying their bills on time”, says Eryl Roberts, a member of NTCCC representing the electrical trade contractors. “Bill 69, which establishes a monthly payment system for all parties to a construction contract, must pass to put an end to this unacceptable situation. We are simply asking the 3 party leaders to do the right thing.”

The TV campaign is also backed by a Prompt Payment website and electronic petition. To learn more please visit www.ontariopromptpayment.com.  Additional contact with your local MPP is also requested.  Please find your local MPP HERE and email them, urging them to support the passing of Bill 69.

The 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. Its membership is comprised of national trade organizations, including:

·         Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada

·         Canadian Electrical Contractors Association

·         Canadian Masonry Contractors Association

·         Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association

·         Interior Systems Contractors Association

·         Canadian Roofing Contractors Association

·         Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Guild of Ontario

·         Ontario Sheet Metal Contractors Association

·         Canadian Institute of Steel Construction

·         Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute

·         Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada

·         Thermal Insulation Association of Canada