Millwright Regional Council – Canada and MLA Trent Wotherspoon, Regina Rosemont Riding
Saskatoon, Sask. – The Millwright Regional Council – Canada met with MLA Trent Wotherspoon from the Regina Rosemont riding on Friday April 5th, 2024 to discuss tax fraud and the underground economy in Canada’s construction industry, and ways to partner together on this issue.
The underground economy in Canada’s construction industry undermines the country’s fiscal position and hurts legitimate contractors. A study commissioned by the OCS estimates that annual revenue losses due to underground activity have increased by 30% over the past decade.
“The underground economy in Saskatchewan’s construction industry undermines the province’s fiscal position and hurts legitimate contractors. The primary driver of the underground economy is employers improperly classifying their workers as ‘Independent Operators’ rather than employees.
Said Nathan Jaeb, MRC Business Representative, UBC Millwright Local 1021, Saskatoon, SK,
A study commissioned in 2019 by the OCS estimates that annual revenue losses due to underground activity have increased by 30% over the past decade. Between 2013 and 2017, the Provincial and Federal Governments have lost between $1.8 billion and $3.1 billion annually as a result of contractors operating in the underground economy.
Underground economic activity negatively affects economic growth in Canada. It also reduces tax revenues for all levels of government, putting pressure on the government’s ability to provide the services and benefits that Canadians enjoy and expect. Moreover, these illegal activities continue to erode Canadian’s faith in the integrity and fairness of Canada’s tax system, undermine the competitiveness of honest businesses, as well as cause honest taxpayers to bear the tax load of those who cheat.
We are encouraged by MLA Wotherspoon’s support to end construction industry tax fraud and working together towards solutions that reign in the underground economy.
The UBC Tax Fraud Days of Action are taking place across Canada and the United States April 13-19, 2024, to bring awareness to the issues of tax fraud and the underground economy.
Safety is our Highest Priority. Learn more at www.stoptaxfraud.ca
About the Millwright Regional Council – Canada
The Millwright Regional Council – Canada (MRC) is composed of thirteen affiliated Local Unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) across Canada. UBC millwrights are vital partners in diverse industries such as energy, automotive, aerospace, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. ubcmillwrights.ca
For media inquiries, please contact:
| Andrew Bredin
Director of Communications |
