Do you hear the silence? Quebec construction holiday begins on Friday
Close to 200,000 Quebec construction workers are on holiday as of Friday.
The industry all but shuts down for two weeks, and after a very tough year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can't come a moment too soon.
In downtown Montreal, the sounds of jack-hammers and generators mean big projects are on the go, but many construction sites have fallen quiet on Friday for 14 days.
After months of hard work, this downtime for most construction workers doesn’t come a moment too soon. “On part tout en vacance (We're going on vacation)!" calls out one worker as he punches out of the job for his vacation.
“C’est si physique et beaucoup mental,” explains another as to why he needs a break.
"Since most worksites open at 6 a.m., these people work long days. It’s been an exceptional year in the industry," said corporation des entrepreneurs generaux du Quebec CEO Eric Côté. "Construction workers and everyone in the industry need a summer break and everybody has worked hard and it was a level of difficulty this year to add with the pandemic; problems with the supply chain, with the materials and a lot of activity because we've been more active than the year before and the year before that.”
He called 2021 a historic year for construction in Quebec. Often, time off the job means time on the road.
The Surete du Quebec spokesperson Valerie Beauchamp said they’ll be watching the roads for rule-breakers.
“There will be an operation that will be made by police officers on the roads and they will look at speeds and they will look at drivers that don't wear their seatbelt, as well as drivers that are using the cell phone while driving and, of course, driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or the mix of both will be looked at for sure," she said. "These are the 4 causes of collisions and deadly collisions.”
Last year, during the construction holiday there were eight deadly collisions on Quebec's roads and she urges people to stay safe no matter how they spend their time off.
One worker said he’s not going anywhere for vacation, although he’d love to go back to Italy.
With the pandemic restrictions, however, he’ll stay in La Belle Province this Summer, again.
Like so many in his trade, vacation will be spent close to home.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Israel orders new evacuations in Gaza's last refuge of Rafah as it expands military offensive
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to leave as it prepared to expand its military operation deeper into what is considered Gaza’s last refuge.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.