In compliance with the collective agreements in the four sectors of the construction industry, negotiated between the employer and union associations, modifications will come into effect on April 26, and will therefore apply to the May 2026 monthly report.
These changes concern the following elements:
- ADDITION OF TRADE AND OCCUPATION CODES
During negotiation of the 2025–29 collective agreements, the employer and union parties agreed to the addition of nine trade and occupation codes in order to offer better conditions for these specific trades:
- Institutional and commercial sector and industrial sector:
Creation of one new trade code - Civil engineering and roads sector:
Creation of eight new codes, covering four occupations
| Applicable sector | Code | Trade or occupation |
| Institutional and commercial Industrial |
296 | Concrete pump operator (mast 63 m and over) |
| Civil engineering and roads |
855 | Labourer (aqueducts and sewers), lead pipe layer |
| Civil engineering and roads |
856 | Labourer (aqueducts and sewers), lead pipe layer – Class 2 |
| Civil engineering and roads |
857 |
Labourer (aqueducts and sewers), second pipe layer |
| Civil engineering and roads |
858 | Labourer (aqueducts and sewers), second pipe layer – Class 2 |
| Civil engineering and roads |
867 | Labourer (aqueducts and sewers), preparation (lead) |
| Civil engineering and roads |
868 | Labourer (aqueducts and sewers), preparation (lead) – Class 2 |
| Civil engineering and roads |
896 | Screed adjuster worker (screed man) |
| Civil engineering and roads | 897 | Screed adjuster worker (screed man) – Class 2 |
Please note that the hours declared by an employer under occupation codes 855 to 858, 867 and 868 are posted in the calculation of hours required for maintenance of a worker’s labourer (aqueducts) (610) certification.
These new trade and occupation codes and the associated wage rates will come into effect for the May 2026 monthly report.
- CHANGES TO RATES, CONTRIBUTIONS, AND ALLOWANCES, AND THE ADDITION OF A PREMIUM
Also in compliance with the collective agreements, various wage rates, contributions, and allowances will be modified as of April 26, 2026, depending on the sector. A new premium will also be granted:
- Annual rises in wage rates
- Rates for taxable benefits
- Contributions to social benefits
- Allowance for certain safety equipment
- Contributions to the welding qualification fund
- Allowance for the purchase and maintenance of diving equipment for divers, which rises from $1.50 to $2.00 for each hour worked
- Premium for work on rehabilitation of existing sewers: labourers assigned to rehabilitation of sewers will receive a premium of $5.00 for each hour worked, under certain conditions.
Please also note that the rates of payroll and employer contributions to the basic insurance plan are different from the rates stipulated in the collective agreements due to a decision made by the Comité sur les avantages sociaux de l’industrie de la construction (CASIC). Because of this decision, the current contribution rates to the basic insurance plan will be maintained: $0.68 for the payroll contribution and $2.93 for the employer contribution, until April 24, 2027. However, the employer contribution rates for supplementary insurance plans remain as specified in the collective agreements.
You can consult the new rates in effect by using the wage rates tool. Please note that this tool was updated late in the day on April 17.
If you have any questions concerning the collective agreements or the applicable rates, please contact your association directly.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESSIt is important to remember that the collective agreements establish the salary conditions to be complied with in each sector. The working conditions, notably with the wage rates, that are stipulated in the collective agreements constitute the minimums and maximums. This means that it is not permitted to offer conditions below those in the collective agreements or to receive remuneration, in any form whatsoever, exceeding the authorized thresholds, except in the residential sector and for some work in the civil engineering and roads sector. The CCQ is responsible for implementing Act R-20 and ensuring compliance with the collective agreements in order to ensure compliance on construction sites, respect for workers’ rights, and the obligation to comply with the clauses stipulated, including wage conditions. It therefore makes sure to foster fair competition among employers. Have you witnessed a situation of unfair competition? Do you think that a contractor is offering conditions that do not comply with the collective agreements in effect in the industry? Every situation that does not comply with Act R-20 or the collective agreements may be reported to the CCQ simply and confidentially. To make a report, you can:
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