Photo: The Canadian Press

Apprentice ironworker Danielle Shaw's son Jack James, reaches to touch B.C. Premier John Horgan.

British Columbia government projects worth billions of dollars will now be built under a so-called Community Benefits Agreement that sets out job training, who can work on the projects and the wages to be paid.

The agreement is aimed at boosting apprenticeship opportunities and hiring more women, Indigenous people and other under-represented workers who will be organized under a new Crown corporation — BC Infrastructure Benefits Inc.

Premier John Horgan says the framework will make it a priority to hire local workers and provide good wages for people building roads, bridges, transit and hospitals.

The first two projects to be delivered under the plan will be the new $1.3-billion Pattullo Bridge and the four-lane expansion between Kamloops and the Alberta boundary on Highway 1.

The Independent Contractors and Business Association says it's a regressive move towards a labour monopoly that will raise the cost of provincial projects.

Tom Sigurdson of the B.C. and Yukon Building Trades Council says the change will help apprentices, boost the labour force and ensure projects are built on time and on budget.