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VANCOUVER – Several construction industry associations are breathing a sigh of relief after years of advocacy work with news prompt payment legislation received Royal Assent this week and is now law.

The British Columbia ��������ion Association has broken down what Bill 20, the ��������ion Payment Act, means in terms of payment deadlines with the following:

Day 0: Proper invoice submitted to owner
Day 28: Owner must pay (unless owner gives notice of non-payment)
Day 35: Contractor pays subcontractors (within seven days)
Day 42: Subcontractors pay their subs and so forth.

The legislation was first introduced in October and received wide support then from numerous stakeholders.

“This (the bill becoming law) marks a significant milestone for B.C.’s construction sector,” said BCCA president Chris Atchison in a LinkedIn message.

“This achievement reflects decades of consistent, principled advocacy and represents real progress toward a payment system that is fairer, more predictable, and more sustainable across the entire construction sector and the infrastructure and housing it delivers province wide. With this step, B.C. joins other Canadian jurisdictions in establishing a modern prompt payment framework.”

Vancouver Regional ��������ion Association (VRCA) president Jeannine Martin shared the same sentiment.

“For too long, late payments strained cash flows, delayed payment, and created unnecessary risk throughout the construction supply chain. Today, we are another step closer to changing that,” she said.  

According to the VRCA, in B.C., the construction industry contributes over $28.5 billion annually to the provincial economy, representing 10 per cent of its GDP. 

The value of current construction projects stands at $158 billion, including $64 billion in the Lower Mainland alone.

Despite this step forward, both the BCCA and VRCA state the work isn’t over yet.

“The effectiveness of the ��������ion Prompt Payment Act will depend on clear, practical regulations that reflect the realities of the industry, and BCCA will continue working closely with government to ensure the next phase advances promptly and with meaningful input from industry,” Atchison said.

 “The adjudication process must be efficient, accessible and easy to navigate to deliver a healthier, more sustainable industry,” added Martin.

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