Today, the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) unveils its annual assessment of its equal access for women program, the Bilan annuel 2017 du Programme d’accès à l’égalité des femmes dans l’industrie de la construction (PAEF) 2015-2024 (available in French only) and the appendix that presents the achievements of the employer and union associations. Overall, the measures set out in the PAEF are well underway. All of the partners are working to bring their respective commitments to fruition.
According to Diane Lemieux, president and CEO of the CCQ, “In 2017, the number of women working on construction sites rose notably, by 20%, enabling us to reach the milestone of 3,000 female workers. With 500 women more than in 2016, their proportion has made a significant leap, from 1.62% in 2016 to 1.91% in 2017. Of course, reaching the target of 3% of women working in construction by the end of 2018 may prove difficult, but the growth curve is irreversible, supported by an active and mobilized industry.”
A positive report for 2017
The CCQ is therefore unveiling a positive assessment for the third year of implementation of the PAEF 2015–2024. As a reminder, this nine-year industry program is divided into three phases, the first of which lasts until the end of 2018 and has the target of increasing to 3% the proportion of women working in the industry to match the Canadian average. In 2017, the completion level of the 40 measures in the 2015–18 phase rose to 77% from 66% in 2016 and 53% in 2016. Thus, all of the 40 measures are now underway, of which 18 have been completed and 10 are at an advanced stage.
On this occasion, the CCQ is also making public the Portrait statistique 2017 des femmes dans la construction.
For access to the Service d’accompagnement pour l’intégration des femmes dans l’industrie de la construction, which provides assistance for women’s integration into the industry, anyone may contact the CCQ’s Customer Services.
PAEF, 2015–18 phase
The first phase of the PAEF includes 40 measures carried out by different partners, and the CCQ is responsible for 22 of them. In the program are also 51 commitments made by the union and employer associations, which are included in an appendix to the 2017 assessment.
These measures are based on three major orientations:
- Supporting women’s careers
- Creating a favourable environment
- Ensuring shared responsibility
It should be noted that the PAEF follows the spirit of the governmental action plan Pour que l’égalité de droit devienne une égalité de fait.