A historic agreement among the First Peoples, the CCQ, and the construction employer and union associations to build Québec together
Trois-Rivières, November 13, 2024 /RMC /— Today, in Trois-Rivières, the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ), alongside the First Nations and Inuit and the partners in the industry, is launching the Construction Industry Action Plan for the Inclusion of First Nations and Inuit during the 5th Indigenous Peoples and Québec Regional Economic Circle.
“At the centre of this historic moment of economic and social reconciliation, the CCQ nurtured an essential dialogue between the First Nations peoples and the Inuit, the employer and union associations, and governmental bodies. The 24 measures in the action plan, some of which are already in place, are a guarantee of success in responding appropriately to deliver on the ambitious order book for Québec and to build it together.”
— Audrey Murray, CEO of the CCQ
In April 2019, the CCQ launched a major collaborative project for inclusion of the First Nations and Inuit in the construction industry. Its objectives are to provide an appropriate overall response to the demands expressed by the First Nations and Inuit and to enable the CCQ to coordinate structured efforts with the industry’s partners through formulation of the Construction Industry Action Plan for the Inclusion of First Nations and Inuit.
Act to modernize the construction industry
In adopting the Act to modernize the construction industry last spring, the Québec government made it possible to establish measures dedicated to Indigenous communities. By doing so, the government has encouraged better representativeness by members of First Nations and Inuit communities in the construction industry. Easier access, greater mobility, and involvement in referrals for First Peoples workers are also set out in the law.
“Certain aspects of the Construction Industry Action Plan for the Inclusion of First Nations and Inuit being launched today have been accelerated by the coming into force of Act 19, which includes the framework necessary for the CCQ to move ahead with the various measures. This is great progress for Québec and for First Nations peoples and Inuit. I offer my congratulations to all the actors involved, who collaborated in good faith to contribute to the writing of this plan.”
—Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour and minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region, and the Nord-du-Québec Region
Some of the Plan’s 24 measures:
- To promote the diversification of vocational choices and entrepreneurship in construction, and to recognize the participation of Indigenous workers and companies
- To offer a client experience adapted to First Nations and Inuit
- To adapt the study programs’ teaching and learning processes to the needs of the communities in order to encourage academic success
- To guide and equip the partners to facilitate networking between workers seeking jobs and companies
- To create the CCQ Eeyou Istchee Baie-James work region and implement special measures for Nunavik.
Target for 2034
The plan aims to have 1% of workers on construction sites subject to Act R-20 be First Nations people and Inuit. Currently, the proportion is 0.38%.
“The plan proposes balanced solutions that value the interests of all parties involved. Thanks to a constructive approach, open dialogue, and a shared vision, we have successfully met the challenges. The result is a strategic and inclusive plan that reflects the diversity of the voices and points of view of our committee and the stakeholders.”
— The members of the Plan’s advisory committee, representing all First Nations and Inuit communities of Québec
“With a single voice, the union and employer associations salute this exemplary alliance, which is in continuity with a construction industry that is more inclusive and respectful of Québec’s diversity. The construction industry partners, the Cree Nation Government, and the Jamesians have accomplished a major breakthrough by collaborating, hand in hand, to create the CCQ Eeyou Istchee Baie-James region. This process demonstrates our collective capacity to listen to the First Nations and Inuit and to respond to their needs. Thanks to remarkable cooperation by everyone concerned, we have built a unifying and respectful project, marked by great openness and recognition of different realities.”
— All of the union and employer associations in the construction sector working under Act R-20[i]
Consult : CCQ’s Construction Industry Plan for the Inclusion of the First Nations and Inuit here
- [i] Union associations: Conseil provincial du Québec des métiers de la construction – International (CPQMCI), Centrale des syndicats démocratiques – Construction (CSD-Construction), Confédération des syndicats nationaux – Construction (CSN-Construction), Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec – Construction (FTQ-Construction), Syndicat québécois de la construction (SQC)
- Employer associations: Association de la construction du Québec (ACQ), Association des constructeurs de routes et grands travaux du Québec (ACRGTQ), Association des entrepreneurs en construction du Québec (AECQ), Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ), Corporation des maîtres électriciens du Québec (CMEQ), Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ)
About the Commission de la construction du Québec
The Commission de la construction du Québec, created in 1987, is responsible for application of the Act Respecting Labour Relations, Vocational Training, and Workforce Management in the Construction Industry (Act R-20), which governs the industry. It offers numerous services to the clientele it serves, including all aspects of vocational training, workforce management, and support for the construction industry’s labour relations.
Source:
Johanne Brunet
Direction des affaires publiques et des communications
514 237-6250
medias@ccq.org
Website: ccq.org
Facebook.com/ccq
