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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.