HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

Definitions

1  "vessel" means a vessel that is built

(a) for the purpose of BC Ferries and the Ministry of Transportation,

(b) for the purpose of public transportation, including the transport of public school students,

(c) for the use of police forces within British Columbia, and

(d) any other vessel that is built for the public service in British Columbia.

Provincial Shipbuilding Strategy

2  A Provincial Shipbuilding Strategy shall be established in British Columbia in which steps shall be taken to develop a strong shipbuilding industry in the Province.

Procurement of new ferry vessels

3  (1) The procurement process for new vessels must include a requirement that the vessels be constructed in Canada.

(2) The procurement documents must include criteria that gives weight to proposals which provide direct economic benefits to British Columbia.

(3) For purposes of this section, "constructed" means:

(a) the fabrication, by the joining together by welding or fastening, of all steel parts from which the total vessel is constructed including, but not limited to, all shell frames, longitudinals, bulkheads, webs, piping runs, wire ways, and ducting,

(b) the installation of all components and systems including, but not limited to, equipment and machinery, castings, electrical, electronics, deck covering, lining, paint, and joiner work required by the contract, and

(c) the interconnection of all equipment, machinery, and services, such as piping, wiring, and ducting.

Repair and refit of existing ferry vessels

4  (1) The procurement process for the repair and refit of existing vessels must include a requirement that the work be conducted in Canada.

(2) The procurement documents must include criteria that gives weight to proposals which provide direct economic benefits to British Columbia.

Contractors preference

5  A preference shall be given to bids from contractors who pay a fair wage in the procurement process of new vessels and the repair and refit of existing vessels.

Alternative fuel source

6  (1) Technology developed in British Columbia must be used when building or using the vessels, insofar as possible.

(2) Technology described in (1) shall not be used as a pilot project for vessels.

Apprenticeship program

7  (1) At least fifteen percent of all labour on vessels that are worth more than two million dollars must be performed by workers who are enrolled in a recognized BC Apprenticeship program and will receive a Red Seal endorsement.

(2) During the hiring process, graduates of a BC Apprenticeship program who have received a Red Seal endorsement shall be given preference over those who have neither graduated from a BC Apprenticeship program nor received a Red Seal endorsement.

 
Explanatory Note

The Provincial Shipbuilding Act, 2015 will require vessels used for public transportation, including ferries, seabusses, school transit boats, as well as vessels used for the public service to be built, maintained and retrofitted in Canada. In addition, proposals which provide direct provincial economic benefits will be prioritized. The Act will ensure that technology developed in British Columbia will be used wherever possible if alternative fuel sources are being used. Further, the Act will entrench an Apprenticeship program into British Columbia’s shipbuilding industry to guarantee that the Province grows the jobs and the skills needed for a solid industry into the future.