BACKGROUNDER
LICENSING OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS

Quebec contractors have had unlimited access to jobs in the Newfoundland and Labrador private sector.

By contrast, Newfoundland and Labrador based contractors could get contracts in Quebec only if they obtained a contractor's license. To do this, they had to have a "place of business" in Quebec.

This Agreement removes this barrier to the Quebec construction sector by permanently exempting contractors from examinations to verify their knowledge of:

- construction project management
- construction site safety management
- administrative management.

In order to be exempted from these examinations, a Newfoundland and Labrador based contractor must be registered with the Department of Government Services and Lands or the Workers Compensation Commission for at least 5 years. Contractors that have not been registered for at least 5 years may also be eligible for a partial or complete exemption from contractor exams.

Through this Agreement, Newfoundland and Labrador agreed to provide Quebec contractors with an exemption to Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association (NLCSA) training courses for those firms bidding on publicly tendered projects. This exemption will last until January 1, 2000. Between now and Jan 1, 2000, both provinces will work to develop a longer term process for dealing with NLCSA training programs.

- The Newfoundland and Labrador Government undertakes to relieve construction contractors domiciled in Quebec of the training requirements of the NLCSA Program until January 1, 2000 upon demonstration that they have developed and implemented a health and safety program under Section 198 of the Quebec Health and Safety Act (S-21).

- Before January 1, 2000 the Bilateral Coordinating Committee will assess the level of commonality between the health and safety requirements for construction contractors in both jurisdictions and determine whether to maintain or modify such relief from training courses.

In the absence of such a determination by the Committee, the matter shall be referred for decision to the Ministers responsible for this Agreement.