October 21, 2025

As noted in previous newsletters, in April 2025 UDI and CHBA BC met with the Ministry of Attorney General to discuss industry questions regarding the progress of prompt payment legislation in BC. This was followed by a joint letter submission by UDI and CHBA BC outlining potential impacts of this legislation on housing development in BC. 

The Ministry engaged UDI in ongoing discussions over the summer. UDI expressed concerns regarding the proposals, and was successful in influencing aspects of the draft legislation, including: 

• A 14-day period to review completed work as included on an invoice;
• Ensuring the legislation would allow for contracts to specify what work is included on an invoice, so that work not yet completed at the time of an invoice does not have to be included, even if it is completed by the end of that same month; and
• The potential to have phased implementation of the regulatory framework, through accompanying regulations (e.g., begin with the public sector, including BC Housing, before contemplating expansion to the private sector).  

UDI will monitor the progression of this legislation in the Legislative Assembly and looks forward to continuing engagement with the Ministry in the development of accompanying regulations, should the legislation pass. 

August 12, 2025

At the end of April, UDI and CHBA BC met with the Ministry of Attorney General to discuss industry questions regarding the progress of prompt payment legislation in BC. On July 30, CHBA BC submitted a joint letter with UDI outlining potential impacts of this legislation on housing development in BC. 

Recommendations included that the Province consider a public-sector-first rollout of prompt payment, wherein the legislation initially only applies to public sector projects, before expansion to private sector projects is considered, and that during the initial public-sector implementation period the Province monitor outcomes and provide education, training, and guidance to support potential expansion to the private sector. 

Recommendations were also made to: 

• Consider a more flexible payment timeline model, such as a 45-day payment window from the invoice “cut-off” date set out in the contract;
• To avoid disruption to in-stream projects, include transition measures so contracts entered into prior to the effective date for each phase are exempt from any new requirements; and
• Provide clear guidelines for what constitutes a "proper invoice". 

UDI will continue to collaborate with CHBA BC on this initiative and monitor the progression of the drafting of this legislation.