Regulations Pertaining to the Labour Force

In the Québec construction industry, the principle of regional hiring priority is part of workers’ job-security system (going back to the late 1970s). The mechanics of this provision are spelled out in the Regulations under the Act Respecting Labour Relations, Vocational Training, and Workforce Management in the Construction Industry (Act R-20).

In general, an employer must give priority to hiring workers residing in the region where the construction site is located before using workers from other regions. However, an employer executing continuing work extending over more than one region of Québec may continue to work with the same workers under conditions set out in the Regulation Respecting the Hiring and Mobility of Employees in the Construction Industry and the collective agreements.

Other provisions of the regulations set out provincial mobility rules allow employers to assign holders of a competency certificate to a region other than their region of residence.