As reported in the Montreal Gazette, Quebec’s administrative labour tribunal has declared regional hiring priority clauses in the construction industry invalid and inoperative, saying they impeded on rights to freedom and privacy.

In a judgement rendered Friday, the tribunal sided with l’Association de la construction du Québec, which was supported by l’Association des constructeurs de routes et grands travaux du Québec.

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Though the tribunal is invalidating two articles of the Regulation respecting the hiring and mobility of employees in the construction industry, it’s suspending its decision until collective agreements in the construction industry can be renegotiated.

Current collective agreements are set to expire on April 30, 2021. The decision is therefore suspended until their renewal.

Issues surrounding regional hiring priority in the construction industry stem from the demands of regional workers. They want to be able to work at construction sites in their own areas, rather than having a contractor who wins a contract come with his own workers from another region.

This situation has caused friction between regional and outside employees.

Keep reading in the Montreal Gazette