For International Women’s Day, the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) wants to acknowledge the work of all women employed in the construction sector. At the same time, the CCQ would like to commend all the efforts and initiatives undertaken by players in this industry to facilitate the presence of women on construction sites in Quebec.

2017: a year marked by increases

According to preliminary data collected by the CCQ as part of the development of the annual review of the Programme d’accès à l’égalité des femmes dans l’industrie de la construction (PAEF) 2015-2024, 2017 was marked by increases. Here are a few examples:

• The number of women working on construction sites increased by 500 compared to 2016.
• There was an approximately 59% increase in women entering the industry compared to a 32% increase in 2016. 760 new women started a career in 2017, representing 7% of the total number of new workers. 
• Compared to 2016, there was a 19% increase in the number of employers hiring women – nearly 380 more companies than in 2016. That means that 9.5% of employers hired at least one woman in 2017, the equivalent of approximately 2,400 out a total of some 25,500 companies.

Preliminary data also shows that the effects of four regulatory measuresconcerning women’s access to construction sites and their job retention are already being felt after having been in force for only a year, while the number of competency certificates issued to female graduates and non-graduates in 2017 doubled compared to 2016.  

Goal for 2018: women making up 3% of construction site workers

2017 represents an important step forward for the presence of women on construction sites, with nearly 3,000 female workers, representing 1.9% of the workforce, compared to 1.6% in 2016. It is worth noting, however, that industry partners established a common target of reaching the Canadian average of 3% women by the end of 2018.

“Attitudes are changing, and so are construction sites”: some industry actions

Among the projects that contribute to changing the industry, and that had an impact on outcomes for 2017 and will have an impact on the years to come are the following:

La mixité en chantier (Gender Diversity on Construction Sites)campaign
Industry partners supported the CCQ’s awareness and promotional campaign by sharing the Construction challenge for children on social networks, and by distributing “Femme ou homme, c’est la compétence qui compte (For men and women alike, it’s your skills that count)” and “Les mentalités évoluent, le chantiers aussi (Attitudes are changing, and so are construction sites)” posters at their workplaces and among their members.

The Relais-construction line: 1 844 374-4149
The CCQ, along with all the employer and union associations, established a phone line for workers and employers facing situations involving misconduct, harassment and sexual harassment in the industry.

Diversity recognition award (Certifié mixité)
Two employer associations joined forces with the goal of launching a Diversity recognition award for employers who hire women (the Association de la construction du Québec and the Corporation des maîtres électriciens du Québec).

The CCQ will file its 2017 annual review of the Programme d’accès à l’égalité des femmes dans l’industrie de la construction 2015-2024 (PAEF) this spring. The 2016 review of the PAEF as well as the 2016 review of the Engagements des associations patronales et syndicales dans le cadre du PAEF are available for viewing.