Province wants to increase worker mobility and reduce training hours for trades
The president of CSD Construction, Carl Dufour has voiced serious concerns regarding the reform of Bill R-20 proposed by the Quebec government. Dufour's primary apprehension is that the government's drive to increase productivity, particularly by expanding the range of tasks assigned to different trades, may potentially compromise both the quality of work and the safety of construction sites.
CSD Construction, a union representing approximately 25,000 workers in the construction industry, has called for broader consultation to ensure the interests and well-being of construction workers are not undermined by the proposed reform. "If you truly want to enhance the construction industry, a comprehensive approach is necessary,” says Dufour. “The Minister of Labour cannot merely pretend to consult and then proceed with his agenda under the guise of union consultation."
The Labour Minister, Jean Boulet, is presently engaged in consultations with industry stakeholders before presenting the reform later this fall. Among the key aspects of the reform are proposals to relax worker mobility rules between regions and reduce the number of training hours for various trades. Critics argue these changes could jeopardize worker safety and the quality of training.
"We feel like the dice are stacked," claims Dufour. "The minister arranges meetings with the unions but restricts our discussions to only a few specific issues. To genuinely improve the construction industry, we need a more comprehensive examination of the sector, and the government must listen to all stakeholders involved in construction."
Dufour says the province wants to appease employers’ associations by easing the rules surrounding worker mobility. Quebec is divided into construction regions, and while the current rules allow contractors from one region to bid on contracts in another, it does not allow that contractor to use its entire workforce and must hire a certain number of workers who live in the region where the work is being performed.
"Versatility should never come at the expense of competence,” says Dufour. “The government's reform of Bill R-20 appears to cut corners, potentially impeding the delivery of promised projects like senior homes, hospitals, schools, and roads."
According to the union, the core productivity issue on construction sites arises from inadequate planning. Requesting workers to perform tasks for which they lack qualifications could exacerbate this issue.
"We already encounter situations where work is duplicated or restarted due to planning errors. Imagining the consequences when workers are asked to undertake tasks beyond their expertise is concerning,” explains Dufour.
CSD Construction is urging the Quebec government to heed the concerns of construction industry workers and ensure that the proposed reform prioritizes competence and safety on construction sites.
As discussions continue, the balance between productivity, safety, and training quality remains at the forefront of concerns in Quebec's construction industry.
