The presence of women in the Québec construction industry has reached a historic peak: they now represent 4% of the total workforce and 10% of new entries who chose to join in the building of Québec in 2024.

On the eve of International Women’s Day, the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) is highlighting this notable achievement – progress amounting to triple the number of women working in construction since the Programme d’accès à l'égalité des femmes dans l’industrie de la construction (PAEF) was launched, in 2015.

“Reaching the 4% mark for active tradeswomen and 10% of women among the new entries who have chosen to build Québec is very encouraging,” noted Audrey Murray, CEO. “I want to stress the contribution of women workers, as well as the work teams, companies, and industry partners that, with the CCQ, have played their part in achieving greater gender diversity in Québec construction sites. I see lasting advances since 2015, as today the total workforce includes three times more women than when the first action plan was implemented. Nevertheless, the industry must address some persistent and emerging issues, notably to improve the work environment and the retention rate. With such a large order book to execute, Québec can’t do without women.”

The sense of inclusion is growing more and more, but there is still work to do

The CCQ and all of the partners in the industry mandated the firm Léger to conduct a wide-ranging survey among women workers to measure their level of job satisfaction and their perceptions regarding the construction industry and the PAEF measures.

The conclusions are as follows:

• 82% of women working in the construction industry feel included on work sites. There remains work to do, however, as certain groups are facing more inclusion issues:
  • Immigrant women (32%)
  • Women who joined the industry recently (1 year or less: 28%)
  • Women working in the civil engineering and roads sector (25%)
  • Women apprentices (20%)
  • Women who are generally the only woman on their respective work site (19%)
• Challenges persist with regard to discrimination, intimidation, and harassment, which leads some women to leave the industry
• Despite this, optimism persists with regard to improving the situation of women in the industry:
  • 42% feel that things have improved over the last 5 years
  • 48% believe that things will continue to improve over the next 5 years
• Although the PAEF measures are not well known and are underused, they are considered useful
• By shining a bright light on the issues, these observations will provide a basis for formulation of the next PAEF in order to deploy structural actions that will respond to women’s real needs.

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WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY IN 2024

Some figures …

• 7,870 women working on construction sites (4.0%)
• 4,650 companies hiring women (16.8%)
• 1,590 new entries of women on construction sites (10.2%)

Women stand out in certain trades and occupations

• More than 1,400 femmes in 2 trades and in general occupations:
  • 1,900 painters (27.4%)
  • 1,460 carpenter-joiners (2.6%)
  • 1,430 in general occupations (5.5%)

• More than 10% of women are working in 3 trades and one occupation:
  
  • 1,900 painters (27.4%)
  • 160 insulators (11.6%)
  • 430 plasterers (10.9%)
  • 160 surveyors (10.7%)

Women represent more than 18% of new entries in 4 trades and one specialized occupation:

• 47% of painter entries are women
• 29% of plasterer entries are women
• 26% of insulator entries are women
• 26% of surveyor entries are women
• 18% des tile setter entries are women

• Specific targets reached for women in 3 trades and one specialized occupation:
  
  • 760 electricians (3.2%, target of 3%)
  • 145 roofers (2.2%, target of 2%)
  • 15 millwrights (1.3%, target of 1%)
  • 15 line workers (1.0%, target of 1%)