The Prevailing Wage Handbook provides comprehensive guidance on meeting Prevailing Wage Requirements (PWR) for Canadian Clean Economy ITCs. Meeting PWR is necessary to qualify for the enhanced ITC rate.
What is Prevailing Wage?
Under Canada's ITC framework, "prevailing wage" means the wage rates set out in a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that applies to the same trade or occupation in the same geographic area as the construction, renovation, or installation work. If no CBA applies, the prevailing wage is the highest CBA rate for comparable trades in the area.
Designated Trades
Prevailing wage requirements apply to workers in designated trades — primarily Red Seal trades recognized under the Interprovincial Standards Program, including electricians, pipefitters, plumbers, ironworkers, millwrights, boilermakers, and other construction trades common to clean energy projects.
Documentation Requirements
- Certified payroll records showing hours worked and wages paid by worker and trade
- CBA reference documents for each applicable trade and geographic area
- Contractor and subcontractor certifications of prevailing wage compliance
- Apprenticeship registration records and ratio calculations