Montréal, December 16th, 2024 / RMC / — According to the study Perspectives 2025 published by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ), despite a context of uncertainty the construction industry will achieve a new record in 2025, with a forecast 211.5 million hours worked (+1%). The year 2024 will finish at 210.0 million hours worked, a 1% rise after a slight fallback in 2023.
Highlights
After reaching a new high with 41.0 million hours worked (+4%) in 2024, the civil engineering and roads sector will see a small short-term slowdown, as new projects associated with Hydro-Québec’s Action Plan 2024 will fill order books over the next few years. The minor drop to 40.5 million hours worked (–1%) is explained by decreased spending on the road system in 2025 and 2026.
In 2024, the industrial sector was stimulated by battery projects, for a 24% rise over 2023. In 2025, the upward trend will continue with a 14% increase in activity, which will translate into 16.5 million hours worked. There is, however, currently some uncertainty related to the battery industry.
Investments over the last three years in the Québec Infrastructure Plan reached a peak for institutional construction in 2004, and so a small pullback of –2.1% is forecast for the institutional and commercial sector, with an anticipated 116.5 hours worked. Highrise residential construction, also included in this sector, will also slow in 2025 due to a lower number of housing starts for this kind of project, which bottomed out in 2023 and will continue to have an impact in the future.
The residential sector will pull out of its doldrums: a 7% rise is expected with 38.0 million hours worked. Housing demand and the return of break-even interest rates will tend to drive the sector up. A total of 48,000 housing starts are also anticipated in 2025.
The need for workers remains high
Perspectives 2025 is forecasting more than 211.5 million hours worked in 2025, which will maintain pressure on the demand for workers. The study on the industry’s workforce needs, to be published next spring, will take account of Hydro-Québec’s Action Plan 2034 and all of the projects in the Québec Infrastructure Plan.
“The Québec construction industry continues to show its resilience and capacity for adaptation. The outlook for 2025 confirms sustained demand, thanks especially to Hydro-Québec’s major needs for its projects and the notable rise in hours worked forecast for the residential sector. These dynamics present both challenges and opportunities for our qualified workforce. In 2024, our government adopted two key laws that will help the industry build more and better, respond to the needs of our communities, and ensure higher quality and better safety. We remain committed to working with the actors in the industry to respond to these crucial needs and support the economic vitality of our province.”
Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour; Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region, and the Nord-du-Québec Region
“In 2024, the industry provided Québec construction sites with 3% more hours worked than the forecast prospects (210 million vs. 202 million); if one were to picture it, this volume translates into building the equivalent of 40 La Romaine dams. A situation not seen since 1970. In 2025, we will remain vigilant, as economic activity will remain vigorous despite uncertainty in the industrial and the institutional and commercial sectors. That is why the CCQ is taking note of the ambitious order book for the coming year by reiterating its commitment to continue working with all industry stakeholders to provide a sufficient number of skilled workers on Québec construction sites.”
Audrey Murray, CEO of the Commission de la construction du Québec
Download the CCQ’s publication Perspectives 2025
Source:
Johanne Brunet
Direction des affaires publiques et des communications
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medias@ccq.org
Website: ccq.org
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