The Construction Industry in Quebec and Canada: Trends, Prospects and Challenges

The construction industry remains a fundamental pillar of the Canadian economy, generating 7 % of GDP and employing nearly 1.4 million Canadians by 2023. However, the sector is undergoing rapid change, influenced by economic, environmental and technological pressures. In Quebec, where it accounts for a significant share of public investment, the challenges to be overcome and the opportunities to be seized call for in-depth strategic reflection.

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Trends and growth drivers

Canada's construction sector is undergoing a transition to more sustainable and technologically advanced practices. Investments in transportation infrastructure, affordable housing and renewable energies are expected to grow by 4 % per year between now and 2025. For example, the REM (Réseau express métropolitain) project in Montreal, valued at $6.5 billion, symbolizes this drive to modernize Quebec's infrastructure.

At the same time, demand for green buildings is growing rapidly. By 2023, 40 % of new construction in Quebec met LEED or equivalent standards, compared with just 20 % in 2018. This trend is supported by public policies such as the Plan for a Green Economy (PEV), which allocates $7 billion to projects aimed at reducing GHG emissions.

Pressure on costs and deadlines

Despite these opportunities, the sector faces significant inflationary pressures. Prices for building materials, such as steel and wood, have risen by 15 % since 2021. In addition, supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic continue to cause delays in major projects.

Labour scarcity also exacerbates these challenges. According to the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ), some 20,000 skilled workers will retire by 2030, exacerbating an already critical shortage. Efforts to recruit foreign workers have helped fill some of this gap, but complex immigration processes hamper their rapid integration.

Technology and innovation: an essential lever

Companies adopting digital tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) or drones for site surveillance are seeing significant gains in efficiency. For example, a Deloitte study reveals that the use of BIM reduces cost overruns by an average of 18 %.

However, adoption of these technologies remains limited. A survey conducted by the Canadian Construction Council indicates that only 35 % of Quebec companies are using BIM, compared with 60 % in Ontario. This highlights the urgent need for training and investment to accelerate this digital transition.

Strategic outlook

To meet these challenges, it is crucial that companies adopt collaborative strategies. Well-structured public-private partnerships (PPPs) can accelerate project implementation while sharing risks. In addition, efforts to diversify material sources, including local options, could mitigate the impact of international disruptions.

Public policy must also play a key role. Speeding up permit approval processes and simplifying regulations could stimulate private investment. For example, reducing the average project approval time by 30 % could inject an additional $2 billion into the Quebec economy by 2025, according to APCHQ.

Conclusion:

The construction sector in Quebec and Canada is at a crossroads.

By capitalizing on technological innovations, meeting growing sustainability needs and alleviating labor shortages, it can not only overcome its current challenges, but also position itself as an engine of growth for the national economy.