Quebec election: ACQ, APCHQ, CORPIQ and IDU give political parties a voice on construction and housing issues

Against a backdrop of a housing affordability crisis, growing infrastructure and renovation needs, and challenges related to labour availability, the four organizations sought to provide a forum where political parties could present their commitments and proposed solutions regarding several key issues that will shape Quebec’s future.

The questionnaire addressed, among other topics:

• construction and renovation costs;
• reducing the regulatory burden;
• the development of housing projects;
• workforce training and availability.

Through this initiative, the ACQ, APCHQ, CORPIQ and IDU aim to foster an informed discussion on issues that directly affect Quebec’s ability to build and renovate more, support investment and meet the needs of its citizens.

The organizations invite voters to review the responses received to better understand the commitments proposed by the various political parties that responded to the questionnaire.

View the responses from the political parties that participated in the initiative: political party responses

About the organizations

Association de la construction du Québec (ACQ)

As the leading organization promoting and defending the interests of contractors in Quebec’s construction industry, the Association de la construction du Québec (ACQ) is the industry’s largest multisector voluntary membership association. Under the R-20 Act, the ACQ is the employers’ bargaining agent for all employers in the institutional-commercial and industrial (IC/I) sectors. The ACQ represents more than 20,000 businesses that account for more than 63% of all hours worked and reported in the industry. It is also active in the residential sector, particularly because hours worked on the construction of residential buildings of six storeys or more are reported under the commercial sector, as well as through its subsidiary, ACQ Résidentiel. Through a network of 10 regional associations operating in 17 cities across Quebec, it provides its members with a wide range of tools and services.

Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ)

Founded in 1961, the Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ) is a private non-profit organization that, through its network and regional associations, represents and supports more than 28,000 businesses in the residential construction and renovation industry. Since 1995, it has served as the employers’ representative responsible for negotiating the collective agreement on behalf of employers in the residential construction sector. The APCHQ’s mission is to be a unifying force for change for the benefit of Quebec society and to serve as a driver of social and economic development by promoting sustainability and quality in housing.

Corporation des propriétaires immobiliers du Québec (CORPIQ)

A non-profit organization bringing together 30,000 landlords and managers who provide rental housing and condominiums to more than 600,000 renter households, CORPIQ is the largest association providing services to landlords. Quebec landlords provide housing to 1.5 million renter households, and seven out of ten own a duplex or triplex.

Institut de développement urbain du Québec (IDU)

Founded in 1987, the Institut de développement urbain du Québec (IDU) is an independent non-profit organization. The IDU is the largest representative of Quebec’s commercial real estate industry. It develops content related to real estate and the urban environment. It primarily acts as a partner connecting industry members, public authorities and all stakeholders within the commercial real estate ecosystem. The commercial real estate industry contributes more than $20 billion annually to Quebec’s GDP and generates more than $5 billion in tax revenue for governments and municipalities. For Quebec’s seven largest cities, it accounts for an average of nearly half—45.8%—of their total property tax revenue. With combined expenditures of more than $24.5 billion, the industry supports nearly 100,000 jobs.