°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû construction workers who have experience in a voluntary trade but who do not hold a certificate, may work anywhere in Quebec for their °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû employer. Before they do so, they must have their experience and qualifications evaluated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU); obtain a Trade Activity Card from the Jobs Protection Office (JPO) of the Ministry of Labour (MOL); and, go to the (CCQ) to select a trade union and obtain a card identifying that union.

Access to construction jobs in Quebec: Trade activity cards

This fact sheet is for °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû workers who:

  • are not certified in a voluntary trade in °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû (voluntary trades in °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû are listed in Attachment 1)
  • have work experience and are skilled in one or more activities of a construction trade (see Attachment 2 for a list of applicable activities of construction trades), and
  • want to work in Quebec for an °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû contractor.

°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû workers who meet the above criteria must do the following before they can work in Quebec for an °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû contractor:

1. Apply to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities for an assessment of their skills to work in a particular trade activity.

The application for assessment must include proof of the worker's skills or experience, such as:

  • completion of the appropriate section of a checklist "Attestation of Competencies," or
  • completion of required competencies in the Training Standards book, or
  • completion of the number of hours required for the trade activity, if appropriate, as set out in the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act or the Apprenticeship and Certification Act, or
  • other forms of evidence that may be required by MTCU.

MTCU will then issue a letter of confirmation to workers who meet the requirements to work in a particular trade activity.

2. Present the letter of confirmation to the Jobs Protection Office. Fill out a registration form and provide the following documentation:

  • identification
  • recent pay stub, T4 slip or Notice of Assessment
  • proof of completion of a health and safety course.

The JPO will then issue a Trade Activity Card.

3. Present the Trade Activity Card to the CCQ and select one of the trade unions representing workers in Quebec's construction industry.

The CCQ will issue a card identifying the union chosen by the worker.

°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû workers must carry both the Trade Activity Card and the CCQ card with them at all times when working in Quebec.

For the purpose of working in Quebec, an °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû worker with a Trade Activity Card is recognized as a journeyperson.

For further information

For general assistance or information, contact:

Jobs Protection Office of the Ministry of Labour
347 Preston Street, 4th Floor, Suite 430
Ottawa, °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû K1S 3J4

Tel: 613-288-3847
Toll-free: 1-888-998-9959
Fax: 613-727-2900
E-mail: Oqconstruction@ontario.ca

This fact sheet is provided for your information and convenience only. It is not a legal document. For further information contact the Jobs Protection Office of the Ministry of Labour.

Attachment 1: Voluntary trades in °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû

Certification or registration as an apprentice is not required in order to work in °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû in any of the trades listed below.

Voluntary trades in °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû
Number °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû title Interprovincial (IP) Red Seal title
1 Brick and stone mason / µþ°ù¾±±ç³Ü±ð³Ù±ð³Ü°ù-²Ñ²¹Ã§´Ç²Ô Bricklayer / µþ°ù¾±±ç³Ü±ð³Ù±ð³Ü°ù-²Ñ²¹Ã§´Ç²Ô
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû: IP only
2 Insulator – (heat and frost) / Poseur de matériaux isolants Not applicable (N/A)
3 Terrazzo, tile and marble craft / Métier de carrelage N/A
4 General carpenter / Charpentier-menuisier ³Òé²Ôé°ù²¹±ô Carpenter / Charpentier
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû: IP only
5 Construction Boilermaker / Chaudronnier de construction Boilermaker / Chaudronnier
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû: IP only
6 Cement mason (includes cement finisher) / Cimentier (y compris le finisseur de béton) N/A
7 Roofer / Couvreur Roofer / Couvreur
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû: IP only
8 Reinforcing rodworker / Monteur de barres d'armature N/A
9 Construction Millwright / Mécanicien – monteur de construction Industrial mechanic (millwright) / Mécanicien industriel (de chantier)
10 Heavy duty equipment mechanic / Mécanicien d'équipement lourd Heavy duty equipment Technician / Technician d'équipement lourd
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû: IP only
11 Sprinkler and fire protection installer / Installateur de systèmes de protection contre les incendies Sprinkler system installer / Poseur de gicleurs
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû: IP only
12 Ironworker / Ferronier N/A
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû: IP only as ironworker
13 Painter decorator (commercial and residential) / Peintre-décorateur – secteur commercial et résidentiel Painter and decorator / Peintre et décorateur
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû: IP only
14 Drywall finisher and plasterer / Finisseur de murs secs et plâtrier N/A
15 Floor covering installer / Installateur de revêtements de sol Floor covering installer / Poseur de revêtements souples
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû: IP only
16 Lather (Drywall, acoustic and lathing applicator) / Poseur de lattes N/A
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû: IP only
17 Ironworker / Ferronier
(Note: °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû trade is not divided into 2 branches)		 N/A
18 Glazier and Metal Mechanic / Vitrier et mécanicien des métaux  Glazier / Vitrier (°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû only)
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû: IP only
19 Excavator operator-Branch 2 of Heavy equipment operator / Opérateur d'excavatrice-Division 2 d'opérateur d'équipement lourd N/A

Attachment 2: Activities of trades

In addition to recognizing activities of trades listed in "Annexe C" of Règlement sur la formation professionnelle de la main-d'oeuvre dans l'industrie de la construction [R-20, r. 6.2], Quebec will recognize an °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû Trade Activity Card for the following activities of trades:

1. Trades with activities that are part of the carpentry trade as well as being stand-alone trades

Drywall, Acoustic and Lathing Applicator: (Part of carpentry – interior finishing)

  • Installation of drywall
  • Installation of lath
  • Installation of thermal and sound insulation

Floor Covering Installer: (Part of carpentry – parquet flooring)

  • Installation and repair of carpet & pads
  • Installation and repair of wood floors

General Carpenter:

  • Framing
  • Building stairs

Glazier: (Part of carpentry for most activities excluding curtain walls)

  • Installation of curtain wall systems

Roofer: (Part of carpentry: framing – installation of trusses, dormers, roof coverings)

  • Retrofit, repair and resurface
  • Installation of single-ply roofing

Taper and Plasterer: (Part of carpentry: interior finishing)

  • Installation of cornices (hand-made or pre-fab) and ornamental plaster moulds

2. Trades with some activities in Schedule "C" of R-20

Painter and Decorator:

  • Brush and roll painting
  • Spray painting surfaces
  • Hanging wall coverings

3. Trades with no activities in Schedule "C"

Brick and Stone Mason:

  • Laying of concrete blocks
  • Building/repairing chimneys
  • Building/repairing fireplaces
  • Installation of prefabricated masonry panels

Cement Mason:

  • Concrete finishing
  • Waterproofing & restoration prep work

Cement Finisher or Bricklayer:

  • Grouting
  • Sandblasting

Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Craft:

  • Installation of tiles
  • Installation of terrazzo
  • Installation of marble and granite indoor

Heavy Equipment Operator:

  • Tractor loader Backhoe Operator
  • Dozer operator

Note: Activities of trades listed above may be part of a different trade in Quebec.

4. Schedule "C" of R-20, Activities of Trades

Carpenter-joiner:

  • Forms
  • Installation of doors and windows
  • Parquet flooring
  • Installation of prefabricated coverings
  • Installation of cupboards and other workshop prepared or manufactured items
  • Installation of gypsum board
  • Installation of piles

Tinsmith:

  • Installation of gutters
  • Installation of prefabricated coverings

Painter:

  • Pointing and filling joints (gypsum board)

Plasterer:

  • Pointing and filling joints (gypsum board)

Interior Systems Installer:

  • Installation of gypsum board