Numerous contractors who have recently completed projects for Nova Scotia Power have not received payment for several months, with some facing outstanding bills amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars, as per information obtained by CBC.
Tim Houtsma, the CEO of Marid Industries, indicated that the company is owed approximately $60,000 to $70,000. Houtsma emphasized the importance of holding Nova Scotia Power accountable for timely payments to contractors, highlighting that all contractors diligently pay their power bills on time.
Several other contractors, who chose to remain anonymous, informed CBC that they have not been compensated by Nova Scotia Power since the spring, with some reporting debts reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Nova Scotia Power disclosed a cybersecurity breach on April 25, affecting around 280,000 customers, as publicly announced on April 28. The breach also impacted payments to contractors engaged with the utility.
Jacqueline Foster, senior communications adviser at Nova Scotia Power, expressed regret over the payment delays to contractors and suppliers. Foster assured that progress is underway, with efforts to expedite payments and return to normal operations.
The utility mentioned that its IT and finance teams are tirelessly working to restore systems post the cyber incident. Nova Scotia Power anticipates settling all invoices prior to year-end and resuming regular payment schedules.
In response to concerns about delayed payments, contractors are encouraged to contact their designated Nova Scotia Power representative or email apinquiry@nspower.ca for updates on invoice statuses.
Although the outstanding sum owed to Marid Industries is not alarming to Houtsma, he empathizes with smaller companies grappling with more substantial debts, potentially jeopardizing their business operations.
Prompt payment legislation, which aims to ensure timely payments to contractors, is being advocated by industry experts in Nova Scotia. Duncan Williams, president of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia, highlighted the significance of prompt payment regulations in safeguarding contractors’ financial stability.
Williams emphasized the need for prompt payment regulations to align with industry standards in other provinces like Saskatchewan. He emphasized the detrimental impact of delayed payments on businesses, noting that numerous companies face closure annually due to non-payment issues.
Efforts are ongoing to advance the prompt payment legislation in Nova Scotia, following a prolonged legislative process. Williams stressed the importance of honoring payment obligations in maintaining trust and fostering productive relationships within the construction industry.
For more details, please refer to the original article [here](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-power-energy-contractors-bills-data-breach-9.6951889).