What are the elements of the new legislation?
Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet has announced a significant shift in the province’s approach to construction oversight, pledging more frequent inspections and the introduction of new legislation aimed at improving the quality and safety of construction projects. The announcement was made on Tuesday during a meeting with industry professionals and organizations in Montreal, according to a report from The Canadian Press.
The forthcoming bill, expected to be tabled in the coming weeks, will focus on several key areas, including the quality of construction, public safety, and the qualifications of contractors. Boulet emphasised that these measures are intended to foster a long-term improvement in construction practices across Quebec.
“We’re going to be looking at the quality of construction, the safety of Quebecers, and the qualifications of contractors,” Boulet said. “So, in the long term, this will help us to build better.”
New plan to bolster safety
As part of these efforts, the Residential Construction Guarantee (GCR) organisation also unveiled a five-year plan that will see a significant increase in the frequency of inspections for new homes. By 2029, GCR aims to conduct three inspections for each new residential building under its jurisdiction, including one inspection before the walls are closed. This is a departure from the current practice of a single inspection.
GCR, which oversees the Guarantee Plan for New Residential Buildings and is responsible for buildings of four storeys or less, currently employs around 20 inspectors. However, the organisation expects to increase this number to nearly 100 by the end of its plan in 2029.
François-William Simard, GCR’s vice president of communications, reassured that there are no existing issues with the training or tools available to inspectors, noting that they have access to all necessary resources. “There is a series of tools available to inspectors, and they have access to all the tools they need,” Simard stated.
“And the training of GCR inspectors, it’s important to mention, they’re all members of a professional order, so they’re either architects, technologists, or engineers.”
Guaranteeing safety for labourers
The upcoming legislation will extend beyond residential construction, addressing a broader range of construction sectors, including daycare centres, schools, hospitals, roads, and industrial projects, The Canadian Press highlighted. Boulet noted that the demands in these areas are immense and require a robust inspection and monitoring model.
The bill will review the current inspection framework, including attestations of conformity, and will incorporate input from industry partners. Boulet has already tasked the Régie du bâtiment du Québec with re-evaluating the existing inspection model to ensure it meets the evolving needs of the province’s construction industry.
“We have a challenge in Quebec to build more, but that also means building better,” Boulet said.
