A first step: listening to women in the trades
On February 10, we brought together 15 women from various construction trades—including entrepreneurs, masons, and carpenters/joiners—for a virtual roundtable. The goal of this meeting was to gather their perspectives, experiences, and day-to-day realities on the job, in a safe, authentic, and open space.
These discussions will help identify priority issues, highlight common challenges, and explore concrete solutions rooted in the everyday lives of women in the trades.
The session was facilitated and guided by our partner firm Ozex, with the support of:
- Marie-Claire Hamel, founder of Ozex
- Danyelle Demers, sexologist
All topics were welcome—no filters, no judgment, no taboos.
Strong and impactful topics
Among the main themes discussed during the roundtable:
- Physical and mental health on construction sites
- Emotional workload and performance pressure
- Workplace climate, respect, and sense of belonging
- Work-life balance
- Peer support and intergenerational exchanges on workplace perception and respect
- The need for spaces for dialogue and community to break isolation
Concrete solutions also emerged to improve the integration and retention of women in the industry, including the development of mentorship programs, more open communication about the specific needs of female workers, and better adaptation of construction site environments.
A consensus emerged: mutual support, active listening, and the creation of an inclusive and welcoming work environment are essential to promote the presence, well-being, and success of women in the construction sector.
And next? Time to turn ideas into action
The project is now entering its action phase.
An in-person event is planned for next April, bringing together women in the trades once again to:
- Validate the common findings from the roundtable
- Determine the concrete tools to be developed
- Define the form and practical use of these tools for effective application in the daily lives of women in the industry
> This in-person event will mark a key milestone for the Building with Elles project. We therefore look forward to welcoming women in the trades to continue this impactful journey together.
Essential union involvement
Our union partners are also involved in the project to reach a larger number of women in the trades, extend the initiative’s impact, and support the implementation of sustainable solutions across the industry.
The Building with Elles project is made possible thanks to the financial contribution of the Secrétariat à la condition féminine.
