The construction industry has a great need for workers to respond to the increases in books of orders. Although it counts on competency, the labour pools mechanism must be activated when there are not enough workers to fill the jobs available in a region.

In this context, a new measure for access to the industry has been in force since November 12, 2025. This measure is also intended to make construction sites more inclusive by addressing First Nations people and Inuit (FNI) and people representative of the diversity of Québec society. It should be noted that FNI people represent barely 0.4% of the workers in the industry.

Labour pools at 30% for FNI and diversity

FNI people and representatives of the diversity of Québec society may now access the construction industry when the state of the labour pools is at 30% or under (for the region and the trade or occupation covered).

Specifically, these people may obtain an apprentice or occupation competency certificate when an employer guarantees them 150 hours of work over three consecutive months if the state of the labour pool covered is at 30% or under. They must, however, fulfil the general conditions for issuance of their competency certificate. When their job guarantee is completed, they must, among other things, comply with a training obligation to keep their competency certificate.

This regulatory change results from the Act to modernize the construction industry and also falls within the framework of the Construction Industry Action Plan for the Inclusion of First Nations and Inuit. Women were already able to benefit from this access measure and may continue to do so.

Are you an FNI person or representative of diversity?

To take advantage of the measures dedicated to First Nations people and Inuit and people representative of the diversity of Québec society, you must voluntarily identify yourself as such with the Commission de la construction du Québec. To find out more, visit www.ccq.org/inclusion.

Act to modernize the construction industry

As we remember, on May 23, 2024, the Assemblée nationale adopted the Act to modernize the construction industry, which includes some forty regulatory measures that amend the Act Respecting Labour Relations, Vocational Training and Workforce Management in the Construction Industry (Act R-20). The changes are aimed at increasing the versatility of the workforce, encouraging greater mobility throughout Québec, making construction sites more inclusive, broadening the criteria for access to competency certificates, and making the rules for the Carnet référence construction more flexible.

To find out about all the of the industry’s modernization measures currently in force and those to come, visit www.ccq.org/modernisation.