Dear Editor,
A general contractor with a signed, sealed, and delivered bullet-proof contract to build a new badly needed Langley public school begins construction.
Right after the foundation is poured, the government has a change of heart and runs a bill through the legislature which ends all school construction contracts and imposes government’s terms. All BC Liberal MLAs claim we can’t afford to honour the original contracts because the provincial budget must be balanced.
The general contractors take government to court twice, and twice they win. The judge confirms a contract is a contract, the general contractors have a right to negotiate terms with government, and government must respect their contractual commitments.
The government launches a court appeal and gets another judge to withhold evidence in support of the contractor’s case until the appeal is heard.
Some general contractors are faced with bankruptcy, along with some of their sub-trades.
What action should the general contractors take?
• All school construction to continue, for the sake of the students, parents, educators, trustees, sub-trade contractors, and suppliers?
• Bolt from the job-sites, give notice to sub-trades and suppliers, and await the appeal court judge’s decision?
• Clients with deeper pockets, where are you? Go job hunting.
• Designate a mediator to reach a solution to remaining on the job-site until the appeal court decision is announced?
• Engage foreign workers to help meet our province’s budget restraints and still make a profit?
Enough of this nonsense!
Will school doors open in September? Will students, educators, and support staff arrive eager to begin their new school year? Let’s hope so! T
hey will if there’s a strong enough public outcry.
Larri Woodrow, Walnut Grove