Local trades council expresses ‘very serious concerns’ with Lansdowne 2.0 construction contracts

The vote for Lansdowne 2.0 is Friday. CTV’s Josh Marano spoke with locals at the Lansdowne Farmer’s Market to hear their thoughts on the project.

A council representing unionized construction workers in Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec is expressing “very serious concerns” over the city’s decision to award the construction contract for Lansdowne 2.0 to a non-local company.

In a letter obtained by CTV News Ottawa and addressed to City Councillors and the Mayor, the Unionized Building and Construction Trades Council of Eastern Ontario & Outaouais Region say they are disappointed that construction work for the Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment has not been awarded to an Ottawa-based company.

“Specifically, we are outraged that you have approved awarding hundreds of millions of construction project dollars to companies not headquartered in Ottawa or the immediate and surrounding area,” the council wrote.

The $418.8 million Lansdowne 2.0 project would replace the park’s north-side stadium stands and Civic Centre and build two new residential towers.

The City of Ottawa’s website states that EBC Inc. submitted the “best value bid of $312.8 million” for the construction of the Event Centre and North Side Stands. EBC is located in L’Ancienne-Lorette, a suburb of Quebec City.

According to the city’s report on Lansdowne 2.0, EBC recently worked with the city on the Ottawa Art Gallery and has had an office in Ottawa for more than 12 years.

“EBC builds in a responsible, sustainable and equitable manner and is recognized for large-scale projects such as office buildings, hospitals and research centres, educational institutions, residential complexes, hotels, malls, factories and sports and cultural centres,” the city wrote.

In an Oct. 20 news conference, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said the city received three bids “around the same price, give or take a few million dollars.”

According to the report, the city pre-qualified six general contractors and received bids of $315.98 million from EBC, $316.69 million from Montreal-based Pomerleau, and $344.14 million from EllisDon out of London, Ont.

The final negotiated fixed price with EBC is recommended at $312.82 million.

“The race-to-the-bottom, lowest bid process undermines our collective efforts to make our local economy stronger, and it builds upon the growing distrust many people feel toward elected officials; elected officials who claim to have the best interests of taxpayers in mind,” the council wrote.

Coun. Riley Brockington of River Ward says the letter from the construction council raises important points that city council should consider, but his priority is to find the best deal for taxpayers.

“Ultimately, I want the best deal for taxpayers so when we tender projects, we want to make sure we have qualified contractors to do the work, but also at a good price for taxpayers,” Brockington told CTV News Ottawa.

“Ideally it would be a local company, but again, if they can do the job and it’s a good price for taxpayers, that’s what we hear first and foremost.”

Brockington said the city looked to award a Canadian company the contract given ongoing American trade tariffs.

“It’s a Canadian company, maybe not local, but that’s one thing that again, we have to balance in this whole process,” the councillor said.

According to the council, the subcontractor for the project is located in Exeter, Ont., which is approximately 200 kilometres southwest of Toronto.

“Certainly, their commitment to Ottawa is nowhere near the same scale as the construction companies, and unions representing skilled tradespeople, that have made Ottawa their home for many decades,” the council stated.

The project was approved by the finance and corporate services committee in an 8-3 vote after a two-day long meeting that featured dozens of delegates.

The final vote on Lansdowne 2.0 will be held at a city council meeting on Nov. 7.

With files from CTV’s Josh Marano.

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