Multiple contractors hired by Nova Scotia Power for recent projects have not received payment for months, with some owed significant sums, according to information obtained by CBC. Tim Houtsma, CEO of Marid Industries, disclosed that his company is owed between $60,000 to $70,000, attributing the delay in payment to a data breach issue. Other contractors, choosing to remain anonymous, revealed that they have outstanding payments since spring, with some owed hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Nova Scotia Power acknowledged the payment delays in an email, citing the impact of a cybersecurity incident that affected around 280,000 customers. The utility assured that efforts are underway to address the issue and expedite payments to contractors and suppliers. Jacqueline Foster, senior communications adviser for Nova Scotia Power, expressed regret over the situation and assured that all outstanding invoices will be settled before the end of the year.
Despite the inconvenience, Houtsma remains optimistic about receiving the payment owed to Marid Industries. However, he emphasized the potential financial strain on smaller companies waiting for payments. Prompt payment legislation, which is still pending in Nova Scotia, could provide a framework to ensure timely payments in such instances, as pointed out by Duncan Williams, president of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia.
Williams highlighted the importance of prompt payment regulations to prevent financial hardships for contractors, emphasizing the impact of delayed payments on businesses. The legislation aims to align Nova Scotia’s payment standards with other provinces and create a fair payment system for all parties involved in construction contracts. Williams urged for the swift implementation of the legislation to safeguard the financial stability of contractors in the construction industry.