Deaths in Quebec’s construction industry: Coroner’s Office announces public inquiry

The Quebec Coroner’s Office announced a public inquiry into three deaths that occurred in recent months in the construction industry.

The coroner’s investigation will focus specifically on the deaths of Médrik Lincourt, which occurred on Aug. 4, in Terrebonne; Mario Ross, which occurred on April 4, in Drummondville; and Vito Fundaro, which occurred on June 19, 2024, in Montreal.

Coroner Andrée Kronström will seek to determine the causes and circumstances surrounding these deaths and to develop a broader reflection on current safety practices in the industry. The Coroner’s Office indicates that “if necessary,” she will make recommendations with the aim of preventing further deaths in similar circumstances.

The dates of the hearings are not yet known.

The construction industry is known to be particularly prone to workplace accidents, whether fatalities or occupational injuries.

FTQ-Construction, which represents nearly 90,000 workers in the industry, is delighted that a public inquiry has finally been announced on the subject. Several of its affiliated unions had already requested such an inquiry, due to the number of workplace accidents causing either deaths or injuries.

In an interview on Tuesday, FTQ-Construction President Alexandre Ricard denounced the cuts to the CNESST ordered by the Treasury Board for budgetary reasons. The Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) is responsible for prevention, inspecting construction sites, and ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety regulations, he pointed out. “We have reason to be concerned.”

“We still have too many deaths in the construction industry. It accounts for nearly one-third of deaths in the workforce. And keep in mind that the construction industry represents only seven to eight percent of the workforce in Quebec, yet accounts for 33 percent of deaths,” Ricard said.

What’s more, due to the shortage of workers in the industry, authorities are seeking to facilitate the entry of more candidates into the industry, even if they have not always completed training at a construction trade school.

This could be a problem, notes Ricard. “We have all the ingredients for disaster, for tragic situations. However, it’s never too late to do the right thing” by doing more prevention and training, improving protective measures, and inspecting construction sites.

FTQ-Construction unions “had denounced the lack of inspections on construction sites to stop negligent contractors and demand immediate corrective measures to improve health and safety. Let’s be clear: there are good contractors and there are bad ones. We want those who are delinquent to be punished so that those who have good results and work the right way can continue to do their job the right way,” summarized Ricard.

The CNESST reported that in 2024, there were 68 deaths in the construction industry, including occupational diseases and workplace accidents. Overall, there were 246 workplace deaths in Quebec.

In turn, the United Steelworkers union, which is also affiliated with the FTQ, welcomed the announcement of a public inquiry, as it represents more than a thousand traffic flaggers.

“The deaths have been piling up for years amid total indifference. Each death is treated as a news item, with no follow-up. Finally, we hope that this coroner’s investigation will shed light on the structural problems on construction sites and in the road signage sector,” commented Nathalie Perron, president of the local United Steelworkers union.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews