News

Strong Majority of British Columbians Support Community Benefits Agreements

British Columbians are taking note of Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) and a sizeable majority endorses them for publicly funded projects, a new Research Co. survey has found.

A CBA prioritizes jobs to local residents, ensures employment opportunities for apprentices, Indigenous workers and women, and provides union wages and benefits.

In an online survey of a representative sample of British Columbians, seven-in-ten residents (70%) either “strongly” (26%) or “moderately” (44%) support building publicly funded projects with CBAs, while 16% are opposed and 13% are undecided.

“Support for relying on CBAs for publicly funded projects is highest among Women (75%) and residents aged 18-34 (also 75%)”, says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Support was also highest among those who live in Southern BC (86%), where the first two projects—the Pattullo Bridge replacement and Hwy 1—have been announced.”

Two thirds of British Columbians (68%) either “strongly” (23%) or “moderately” (45%) support the Community Benefits policy of dedicating 25% of the workforce on public projects to apprentices, while 14% are opposed and 18% are undecided.

When asked how familiar the public is with CBAs, one-in-four residents (22%) said they are “very familiar” (4%) or “moderately familiar” (18%) with them. Men (30%), residents aged 18-34 (25%) and those who live in Northern BC (28%) are more likely to be familiar with CBAs.

This survey was commissioned by the BC Building Trades Council. For more, including methodology and a link to the full data set visit the Research Co.