Seven-in-ten support building publicly funded projects through Community Benefits Agreements.
Vancouver, BC [August 9, 2018] – 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.
Methodology:
Results are based on an online study conducted from August 2 to August 5, 2018, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.
Find our full data set here and download the press release here.
For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca