Campaign launched to end discrimination, harassment in construction industry

A Quebec campaign is aimed at ending discrimination and harassment in the construction industry. (Pexels)

Stakeholders in the construction industry are joining forces to put an end to various forms of discrimination and harassment that plague building sites and contribute to a high number of workers leaving the industry.

Monday, they launched a campaign in the hopes of helping women, people from different cultural communities, young people who are still apprentices and anyone likely to be subjected to derogatory remarks or inappropriate jokes.

“Laws aren’t everything. We’re talking about culture, prevention and vigilance,” said Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet

Quebec Construction Commission President and CEO Audrey Murray said that with a 30 per cent dropout rate over five years, issues need to be addressed.

“Seven per cent of those who leave us do so because of the working environment,” she said.

On the trade union side, the president of FTQ-Construction, Alexandre Ricard, argued that job insecurity can also play a part in workers not filing complaint when they experience discrimination.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 27, 2026.