CCQ 2026 guide: wages, hours, vacation and construction trades in Quebec

What is the CCQ?

The Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) administers the Act respecting labour relations, vocational training and workforce management in the construction industry (the R-20 Act). It governs the working conditions of about 155,000 workers across 4 sectors: residential, institutional-commercial, industrial, and civil engineering and roadwork.

In practice, for each CCQ trade (electrician, plumber, carpenter-joiner, painter, roofer, tile setter, sheet metal worker, heavy equipment operator and some thirty others), the CCQ sets an hourly rate, a fringe benefits system and progression rules.

CCQ wages by trade

CCQ wages vary by trade, by sector (light residential, heavy residential, institutional-commercial, industrial, civil engineering and roadwork) and by the worker's level. They do not vary by region: rates are the same everywhere in Quebec. The journeyman rate (fully qualified) is the reference; an apprentice earns a percentage of that rate based on their apprenticeship period.

Source: the CCQ's official wage rate tool, read on October 1, 2026. General-rule rates, excluding the 13% indemnity and fringe benefits. The apprentice rate is calculated with the official scale (% of the journeyman rate) and rounded to the cent. Only isolated job sites, James Bay and north of the 55th parallel have separate, higher rates. All 25 trades and 5 sectors are in our CCQ 2026 rate table.

CCQ hours and the period system

The CCQ hours system works by accumulation, not by calendar seniority. An apprentice moves to the next apprenticeship period each time they accumulate 2,000 hours worked in their trade, not after a number of years of employment. Depending on the trade, the apprenticeship has 1 to 5 periods:

• 4 periods (electrician, plumber, refrigeration mechanic, fire protection mechanic): 50%, 60%, 70%, then 85% of the journeyman rate
• 3 periods (carpenter-joiner, painter, plasterer, tile setter, sheet metal worker, bricklayer-mason and others): 60%, 70%, 85%
• 2 periods (roofer, cement finisher, crane operator): 70%, 85%
• 1 period (reinforcing steel worker, power shovel operator): 85%

Labourer, specialized labourer and welder are occupations: no apprenticeship, a single rate. Other rules:

• Hours are reported and tracked by the CCQ through the worker's reference record
• A worker who changes employers keeps their accumulated hours: they follow the worker, not the company
• Becoming a journeyman requires completing the last period and, depending on the trade, passing a qualification exam

CCQ vacation: how it works

Unlike the standard provincial regime where the employer pays vacation directly, CCQ vacation pay goes through a centralized plan. Each week the employer credits 13% of wages earned: 6% for annual vacation, 5.5% for statutory holidays and 1.5% for sick leave. It remits these amounts to the CCQ with its monthly report. The amount is not paid on the pay cheque: the CCQ pays the worker twice a year, at the end of June (for July to December of the previous year) and at the end of November (for January to June). Source: CCQ, vacation pay.

On top of that come CCQ fringe benefits, paid by the employer per hour worked rather than as a percentage of wages: the pension plan ($5.21/h for a journeyman in every sector, less for an apprentice) and insurance (from $2.93 to $3.693/h depending on the trade and sector, plus a 9% tax on that amount).

CCQ 2026 rate calculator

Rather than calculating wages, fringe benefits and total cost by trade by hand, SubmitX offers a free CCQ 2026 rate calculator by trade, by sector and by apprenticeship period, with the official rate table. No sign-up required.

Beyond the calculator: automating CCQ payroll

For a contractor employing several CCQ workers, calculating one rate now and then is not enough: you have to manage time tracking, apply the right rate by job site and by period, calculate fringe benefits and produce the monthly CCQ report. That is the topic of our full guide on CCQ payroll for contractors, which covers employer obligations and automation with SubmitX.

Frequently asked questions

What is the CCQ?

The CCQ (Commission de la construction du Québec) administers working conditions, training and the workforce of Quebec's construction industry under the R-20 Act. It covers 4 sectors: residential, institutional-commercial, industrial, and civil engineering and roadwork.

How does the CCQ hours and period system work?

An apprentice moves up in periods of 2,000 hours worked in their trade, not by seniority on the job. Depending on the trade, there are 1 to 5 periods. The apprentice earns a percentage of the journeyman rate: the last period is at 85%, the one before at 70%, then 60% and 50% (for example 50, 60, 70 and then 85% for an electrician).

How is CCQ vacation pay calculated?

The employer pays 13% of wages earned: 6% for annual vacation, 5.5% for statutory holidays and 1.5% for sick leave. This amount is not paid on the pay cheque: the employer remits it to the CCQ with its monthly report, and the CCQ pays the employee twice a year (end of June and end of November).

Where can I find CCQ wages by trade?

On the CCQ website, in the official wage rate tool (ccq.org/salaire). The SubmitX CCQ 2026 rate calculator uses these rates for 25 trades and occupations across the 5 sectors. Example: journeyman electrician, institutional-commercial sector, $50.79/h since April 26, 2026. Rates are the same everywhere in Quebec.