To fulfil its mandate of compliance, the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) has certain powers granted to it under the Act Respecting Labour Relations, Vocational Training and Workforce Management in the Construction Industry (Act R-20).

The CCQ may, among other things:

• At any reasonable hour, enter a job site and visit the office of the employer.
• Demand from any person concerned any information or document relating to the construction work in question.
• Recommend to the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales that legal action be taken when infractions are observed.
• Institute civil lawsuits, for example, to recover unpaid wages to employees.

For more information about compliance, verifications and investigations, consult the dedicated section.

Suspension of work and commissioner’s powers

The CCQ also has extraordinary powers, including the power to suspend work, and those of commissioner set out in the Act Respecting Public Inquiry Commissions.

The CCQ may suspend work on a construction site when that work is being done by individuals who do not hold the required competency certificates or the necessary licences.

During an investigation, the CCQ may use its powers as a commissioner. It may, among other things, require a person to appear and answer all of its questions regarding the matters that are the subject of an inquiry.