Oversight of Residential Construction Sites: An Alarming Assessment on La Facture

Radio-Canada aired a new edition of La Facture  [in French only] on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., and the episode proved particularly revealing for anyone interested in residential construction in Québec. The program focused on a major issue: the oversight of construction sites for houses and divided co-ownerships, a field in which numerous shortcomings have been highlighted over the years by experts, co-ownership syndicates and consumers.

The report examined the many deficiencies observed on some residential worksites, including insufficient supervision, inconsistent quality of execution and the risks these pose for buyers as well as for co-ownership syndicates. The journalists pointed to recurring problems: work carried out without adequate oversight, non-compliant materials, lack of follow-up by the general contractor and additional costs imposed on occupants once defects are discovered.

At the centre of the story, La Facture featured Me Yves Joli-Cœur, a well-known expert in co-ownership law, president of the RGCQ and partner at Dunton Rainville, whose expertise is often sought to analyze the abuses that can occur in the residential construction industry. Me Joli-Cœur put forward a troubling observation: the poor quality of certain buildings delivered in Québec and the significant gap between legal requirements, consumer expectations and the concrete reality on worksites.

His testimony shed light on the legal, financial and human consequences of these deficiencies for both buyers and co-ownership syndicates. He also addressed the need for stronger oversight of construction work and stricter accountability for those involved in the industry.

This report offered viewers a clear and unflinching look at the state of residential construction in Québec and the reforms still needed to better protect consumers.