Union claims exploitation of temporary foreign workers at St. Paul’s Hospital construction site
Posted May 22, 2025 10:18 am.
While construction is well under way at the new St. Paul’s Hospital site in Vancouver, a local union is raising red flags, claiming that temporary foreign workers are being exploited.
“We suspect they are not getting what they deserve,” BC Insulators Local 118 business manager Rob Sheck told CityNews.
According to the union, employees of an Ontario-based subcontractor approached representatives and alerted them of the situation.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!“He ended up having a conversation with one of them, he did say, yes, they were on a student or tourist visa,” Sheck explained.
The union alleges there are around a dozen workers who are employed by Legends Insulation at the St. Paul’s construction site currently who do not hold the proper work permits and are getting paid substandard wages.
“We got some pay stubs showing $18 or $19 an hour, and that they were on work permits. If they were under a proper LMIA application, the wage is considerably higher than that, maybe $26 or $28 an hour,” Sheck said.
Under federal labour and immigration laws, an employer must obtain a Labour Market Assessment Impact (LMIA) before hiring a foreign worker.
When the union reached out to Legends, the company’s lawyer responded with a statement.
“I can assure you that our employees are employed lawfully and with appropriate authorizations,” the statement said.
But the union is unconvinced.
“We have to do something because we can’t just stand by and have a company come in, pay lower than market value wages, possibly do it again, undermine our industry … then those contractors can undercut the bidding process. Companies that are paying the standard wage are at a disadvantage,” Sheck explained.
Providence Health Care, the operator of St. Paul’s Hospital, told CityNews that it has not received any complaints regarding improper employment practices. However, it said it is concerned by the allegations, and will be following up with the subcontractor in Vancouver.
