Thousands of Quebec construction workers could soon get a $300 cheque — Here's how

Some people can claim up to $500!

Montreal construction workers work on a job site.

Quebec's Court of Appeal has approved payouts for thousands of people affected by the province-wide construction shutdown that took place in 2011.

Senior Writer

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

AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.





  • Al Sciola
  • Born and raised in Montreal, Al Sciola is a Senior Writer for MTL Blog. With a background in covering sports and local events, he has a knack for finding stories that capture the city’s spirit. A lifelong Canadiens fan and trivia enthusiast, Al spends his downtime sipping espresso and trying out new recipes in the kitchen.

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