Construction Vacation Week 2025: Quebec Dates & CCQ Calendar

If you’re planning a construction project in Quebec in 2025, there’s one date range you absolutely need to mark: July 20 to August 2 — that’s the province’s mandatory construction vacation week, when nearly all worksites shut down for two weeks. Understanding this schedule helps contractors, workers, and homeowners avoid costly delays and ensure projects stay on track.

Summer construction vacation 2025: July 20 to August 2, 2025 ·
Winter construction vacation 2025-2026: December 21, 2025 to January 3, 2026 ·
Official calendar source: CCQ (Commission de la construction du Québec) ·
Number of weeks each period: 2 weeks

Five confirmed dates across 2025 and 2026, one pattern: the industry shuts down twice a year for two weeks each time, aligned with summer and Christmas.

What are the construction vacation dates for 2025 in Quebec?

Two official shutdown periods govern the entire Quebec construction industry in 2025. They are set by collective agreements and published by the CCQ.

When is the summer construction holiday in 2025?

• The summer break runs from July 20 to August 2, 2025 (CCQ 2025 calendar PDF).
• This period is labeled “Congé annuel d’été” on the official calendar, confirming it’s the annual summer shutdown (CCQ 2025 calendar PDF).
• The same dates are confirmed by the APCHQ (Quebec home builders’ association) and CSN Construction (union federation).

What is the winter construction vacation period for 2025-2026?

• The winter shutdown spans December 21, 2025 to January 3, 2026 (CCQ 2025 calendar PDF).
• This period includes statutory holidays: December 25 (Christmas) and January 1 (New Year’s Day) (CCQ 2025 calendar PDF).
• Both the APCHQ and CSN Construction list identical dates.

The implication: if you run a construction business or work on sites, plan for a full two-week pause in summer and another two-week pause around the winter holidays.

Where can I download the CCQ calendar for 2025?

The CCQ offers a free downloadable PDF that includes all official shutdown dates, statutory holidays, and important deadlines for the construction industry.

Is there a PDF version of the 2025 construction calendar?

• Yes, the CCQ publishes a single-page PDF that is updated annually. The 2025 version is available in French (direct CCQ PDF link).
• The calendar lists the summer break, winter break, all provincial statutory holidays, and a legend explaining each code.

How to access the CCQ calendar online

• Visit the CCQ’s official “Congés et vacances” page at ccq.org/fr-CA/avantages-sociaux/dates-conges-vacances.
• From there you can download the PDF or view the schedule online.
• An English version of the calendar is also available on the same page, though the PDF itself uses French labels.

The pattern: the CCQ calendar is the authoritative source for planning — bookmark it before starting any project.

What are the construction vacation weeks for 2026?

Looking ahead to 2026, the pattern holds but with slight calendar shifts.

When is the summer construction holiday in 2026?

• The CCQ’s 2026 calendar shows the summer break falling July 19 to August 1, 2026 (CCQ 2026 calendar PDF).
• This is one day earlier than 2025 because July 19 falls on a Sunday, shifting the full window.

What is the winter construction vacation period for 2026-2027?

• According to a union source (CSN Construction), the winter shutdown will likely run December 20, 2026 to January 2, 2027.
• Exact dates are subject to final collective agreement updates, so check the CCQ calendar when released (expected mid-2025).

The trade-off for 2026: summer dates are already set, but winter dates are still tentative. Project managers should mark these as placeholders and confirm later.

How does the CCQ determine construction vacation dates?

The dates are not chosen arbitrarily—they emerge from negotiations between unions and employer associations.

What is the CCQ’s role in setting holidays?

• The CCQ administers the industry’s mandatory vacation and statutory holiday plan as defined in the collective agreements (CCQ – Congés et vacances).
• The actual dates are negotiated by the unions (such as CSN Construction) and employer groups (like APCHQ).

Are the dates the same every year?

• The summer period always covers the last two full weeks of July, so the exact start date shifts by one day each year depending on weekdays.
• The winter period is fixed around Christmas and New Year, typically spanning from the third week of December into the first week of January.
• Minor adjustments happen when a statutory holiday falls on a weekend; the CCQ calendar accounts for this.

What this means: the industry has a predictable annual rhythm, but project planners should always verify the current year’s CCQ calendar rather than relying on memory.

Do all construction sites close during the vacation weeks?

Nearly all unionized and non-unionized construction worksites in Quebec are required to shut down during the two vacation periods. But there are exceptions.

Are there exceptions to the closure?

• Emergency repair work and certain maintenance tasks may continue with special permits.
• Work on infrastructure deemed essential by the government (e.g., bridges, hospitals) can sometimes proceed, but requires authorization.
• Residential renovation projects may be affected if they rely on unionized trades; independent contractors might work outside the shutdown if they have no union obligations.

Who is affected by the construction holidays?

• All workers covered by the Quebec construction industry’s collective agreements must take the vacation weeks.
• That includes carpenters, electricians, plumbers, labourers, and every other trade on residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
• Non-unionized workers may also be bound by their own company’s adherence to the industry calendar, as many general contractors shut down entirely.

The consequence: if you are a homeowner planning a renovation in 2025, schedule your project to start after August 2 to avoid the summer shutdown.

Timeline: Upcoming construction vacation periods

What we know and what’s still uncertain

What industry leaders say

All construction sites will be closed from July 20 to August 2, 2025.

— CSD Construction (industry blog), as reported by union sources

The CCQ makes a calendar available each year with all important dates for the construction industry.

— Commission de la construction du Québec

For Quebec contractors and project managers, the decision is clear: plan your 2025 work schedules around the two shutdown windows, or risk idle crews and broken contracts. For homeowners, book your renovation after August 2 or face a two-week delay. As the CCQ calendar for 2026 approaches release, stay updated directly from the source.

Related reading: Ontario Take-Home Pay Calculator: 2025-2026 Net Income

The mandatory industry-wide construction shutdown, a rare exception in Canada, is detailed in the Quebec construction holiday 2025.

Frequently asked questions