Group urges Competition Bureau to investigate Ottawa Hospital project
A group representing construction companies is crying foul over the Ottawa Hospital's agreement with a labour group to build the new $2.8-billion Civic campus.
The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada filed a complaint with the Competition Bureau on Monday, urging the watchdog to investigate the hospital's agreement with Unionized Building and Construction Trades of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec.
The complaint alleges the deal prevents contractors and workers who aren't affiliated with select unions from bidding on and building the 2.5-million-square-foot facility.
"There's something seriously wrong when thousands of Ottawa area construction workers and local companies have no chance to build one of the largest infrastructure projects in the city's history," Karen Renkema, the PCA's vice-president of Ontario, said in a news release.
"This is a deal that shuts out local talent and does not provide good public value. That warrants an investigation."
The hospital announced the agreement with the trade unions last month. In a news release, it hailed the agreement as "historic" and the first of its kind in Ontario, saying it would help keep the project on schedule and avoid delays associated with work stoppage.
The agreement ensures all workers are properly trained and will create apprenticeship opportunities for underrepresented groups including First Nations, Inuit and Metis people, women and diverse and at-risk youth, the hospital said. It sets out the terms and conditions for all employers and trades working on the project "while still following Ontario's requirements for an open and competitive procurement process," the release said.
But the PCA says the exclusive labour agreement is restrictive, stifles competition and is not in the public interest.
"It is a clear example of exclusive dealing, tied selling and market restrictions, which run counter to the Competition Act," Renkema said.
The PCA cited a report by the Montreal Economic Institute that said the agreement would escalate project costs by $168 million to $525 million.
The PCA represents more than 25,000 unionized construction workers across Canada.
The Civic campus project is due to be finished in 2028.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.