To be effective in the fulfilling of its compliance mandate, the CCQ has been invested with a range of powers under Act R-20.
The CCQ may, among other things:
- At any reasonable hour, enter a job site and visit the officer of the employer.
- Demand from any person concerned any information or document relating to the construction work in question.
- Recommend to the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales that legal action be taken when infractions are observed.
- Institute civil lawsuits, for example, to recover unpaid wages to employees.
For more information about compliance, verifications and investigations, consult the dedicated section.
To fulfil its mandate of compliance, the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) has certain powers granted to it under the Act Respecting Labour Relations, Vocational Training and Workforce Management in the Construction Industry (Act R-20).
Among other things, the CCQ can:
- Enter a construction site or go to employers’ offices at any reasonable time of day
- Require that all people concerned provide all information and documents related to the construction project
- Recommend that the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales bring suit when infractions are detected.
- File civil lawsuits, notably to recover unpaid wages for workers.
Suspension of work and commissioner’s powers
The CCQ also has extraordinary powers, including that of ordering a suspension of work and the commissioner’s powers set out in the Act Respecting Public Inquiry Commissions.
The CCQ may suspend work on a construction site when that work is being done by individuals who do not hold the required licences and competency certificates.
During an investigation, the CCQ may use its powers as a commissioner. It may, among other things, require a person to appear and answer all of its questions regarding the matters that are the subject of an inquiry.