In case you haven’t noticed the never-ending sea of orange cones, Montreal is no stranger to construction — or to the drama that sometimes surrounds it.
Now, nearly 14 years after an illegal protest shut down job sites across Quebec, workers and contractors who lost wages that day can finally apply for compensation.
After a final ruling in a long-running class-action lawsuit this week, Quebec’s Court of Appeal has approved payouts for thousands of people affected by the province-wide construction shutdown that took place on October 25, 2011.
The class action was brought against FTQ-Construction and CPQMC (Inter) over disruptions tied to unauthorized union demonstrations. If you were on the job — or unable to work — that day, you might be eligible for a cheque.
Who’s eligible?
There are two groups that qualify:
- Workers whose job sites (with 50 or fewer employees) were shut down or disrupted on October 25, 2011.
- Small business owners with 50 or fewer employees who lost income or paid wages that day without work being performed.
How much can you get?
- Workers can claim up to $500, but most will likely receive around $300 after fees.
- Small businesses may be eligible for higher (uncapped) amounts depending on how much revenue or payroll was lost that day.
When is the deadline?
The deadline to claim is April 16, 2026.
Payments will be made by cheque or Interac e-transfer, though processing and legal fees (35% + tax) will be deducted from the total.
You’ll need to fill out a claim form to get your money. Head to www.ftq-inter.ca to submit.
For help, contact the claims administrator:
Phone: 1-877-770-8091
Email: ftq-inter@conciliainc.com
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