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ARTICLE · 28 OCTOBER 2025

Rewriting The Rules Of Payment In British Columbia Construction

On October 7, 2025, the BC government introduced Bill 20 – Construction Prompt Payment Act (Bill 20)...

CanadaReal Estate and Construction

On October 7, 2025, the BC government introduced Bill 20 – Construction Prompt Payment Act (Bill 20).1 Bill 20 closely resembles Ontario's 2019 prompt payment legislation outlined here and features:

  • Prompt payment requirements;
  • Adjudication process; and
  • Amendments to the Builders Lien Act.

Prompt payment

Bill 20 introduces new invoicing and payment requirements:

  • A "proper invoice" must be submitted monthly unless the parties agree otherwise.2
  • Owners are required to either pay a "proper invoice" within 28 days of the date of the invoice or issue a notice of non-payment within 14 days.3
  • Contractors and subcontractors are required to pay their subcontractors within seven days of receipt of payment or by the "calculated payment date".4

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