Workers hang up their tools as Quebec's two-week construction holiday begins
The two weeks of the year so many Quebecers look forward to are here – construction holiday begins Friday.
As many as 160,000 residential and commercial construction workers are putting down their tools, as most construction sites across the province will go silent.
Renovco's Walter Assi said his teams are looking forward to the break.
"You can tell they're in vacation mode already. Today is usually half a day, so you can tell – they're usually ultra excited," he said.
Only some people are off the job, though. Some road workers don't get a break just yet, and some companies are still keeping crews close by if there's an emergency.
"If you have an emergency work designation, for example, if you do fire and flood restoration and light renovations, you're allowed to keep on working on the job," Assi explained.
Not everyone is welcoming the break.
Magali Picard, president of the FTQ-Construction union, said many workers hope to find extra jobs during the construction holiday because of the high cost of living.
Quebec provincial police are also warning that construction holiday is -- statistically speaking -- a dangerous time of year.
"The construction vacation weeks are the moment in the year when fatal injury collisions are particularly high," said Sûreté du Québec (SQ) spokesperson Camille Savoie.
Police said 12 people died in car crashes on Quebec roads during that period last year.
"During the next two weeks, for the construction vacation period, officers of the Sûreté du Québec will be present to conduct massive operations in all regions of Quebec," said Savoie.
Meanwhile, for those working over the next two weeks, there are benefits to not being on holiday.
"It's two weeks with less traffic!" said Julie Moreau.
Not to mention two weeks with less construction noise.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029443.1725744633!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
'Hopeless and helpless': Regina mother seeks help to treat rare spinal disease
Mary Grace Rico is seeking help in getting treatment for a rare spinal condition.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
No more porta-potties at B.C. construction sites starting Oct. 1
What some B.C. construction workers describe as the worst aspect of their jobs will be coming to an end next month, the province announced.
Trump campaigns in Wisconsin just days ahead of debate with Harris
With just days to go before his first — and likely only — debate against U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, former U.S. president Donald Trump leaned into his familiar grievances about everything from his indictments to the border as he campaigned in one of the most deeply Republican swaths of battleground Wisconsin.
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.
Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula to win the U.S. Open for her third Grand Slam title
Aryna Sabalenka got past Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in a rollicking U.S. Open women’s final Saturday to win her first championship at Flushing Meadows and third Grand Slam title of her career.