Record number of women worked on Quebec construction sites in 2022
A record 7,218 women worked on construction sites in 2022, according to the Commission de la construction du Québec.
This compares with 6,250 in 2021. The new figures come from the CCQ's just-released report for 2022.
While the number of 7,218 seems impressive at first glance, in reality, it represents just 3.65 per cent of the total workforce in the industry.
There were just 515 in 2000, 1904 in 2010 and 2,289 in 2015.
The women who worked in the construction industry also worked more hours than in the previous year: an average of 818 hours, compared to 1,071 hours for men in 2022.
In 2021, women had worked an average of 765 hours and men had worked 1,038 hours.
The trades with the most women are painter (1,712), carpenter (1,423), labourer (1,268) and electrician (627).
They are followed by plasterers, tilers, surveyors, pipe fitters, tinsmiths and roofers.
The drop-out rate for women in the industry remains higher than for men. After one year, the drop-out rate for women is 21 per cent, compared with 13 per cent for men. After five years, the drop-out rate is 52 per cent for women and 32 per cent for men.
This is of concern to the construction commission, unions and employers. The industry has set up a Women's Equal Opportunity Program to increase women's representation on construction sites.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 2, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.