As a general contractor or subcontractor in Quebec, you face fines from the RBQ, CCQ, and solidary liability from the CNESST if your subs or workers are non-compliant. Since Bill 76 was adopted in November 2024, CCQ fines have increased significantly. Use this calculator to estimate your maximum financial exposure from non-compliance on your jobsite.
Estimate your maximum financial exposure from RBQ and CCQ non-compliance.
1 estimated non-compliant subcontractor(s)
1 estimated non-compliant worker(s)
Per-incident infractions
1 estimated non-compliant subcontractor(s)
LATMP estimate — average workplace injury costs (IRSST data)
Maximum exposure
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RBQ and CCQ fines: maximum amounts, first offence, under the Building Act (s. 197.1) and Law R-20 (Bill 76, 2024). CNESST liability: estimate based on average workplace injury costs (IRSST data) and the maître d’œuvre’s solidary liability (LATMP). Actual amounts vary depending on the circumstances. This tool is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
RBQ Fines — Régie du bâtiment du Québec · Fine revalorization — CCQ · Late registration — CNESST
The RBQ fines subcontractors who work without a licence or with the wrong subcategory. Amounts are indexed annually on January 1st. In 2026, the maximum fine for working without a licence reaches $185,804 for a corporation.
Up to $185,804
Building Act, s. 197.1
The CCQ penalizes employers who use workers without a valid competency certificate, assigned to the wrong trade, or with a suspended certificate. Bill 76 (Nov. 2024) tripled some fines — up to $30,000 per worker without a certificate.
Up to $30,000 / worker
Law R-20, Bill 76 (2024)
Unlike RBQ and CCQ fines, CNESST exposes the general contractor to solidary liability. If a worker of an unregistered sub is injured on the jobsite, the maître d'œuvre bears the medical, salary replacement, and disability costs — averaging $75,000 per accident.
~$75,000 / accident
LATMP, IRSST data
The general contractor is directly liable. The Building Act provides that a contractor who hires an unlicensed subcontractor faces the same fines as the subcontractor — up to $92,903 for a self-employed worker and $185,804 for a corporation (2026 amounts).
Bill 76, adopted on November 26, 2024, significantly increased fines. The fine for using a worker without a competency certificate went from $1,500–$9,000 to $3,000–$30,000 (first offence). Fines double for repeat offences within 24 months.
This is not a fine in the traditional sense. If a subcontractor is not registered with the CNESST and one of their workers is injured on your jobsite, you (the maître d'œuvre) bear the costs that CNESST insurance would have covered: medical expenses, salary replacement, and disability indemnities. The average cost exceeds $75,000 per accident (IRSST data).
RBQ and CCQ fines are per infraction. This means that if you have 3 unlicensed subcontractors on the same site, you risk 3 separate fines. The calculator multiplies amounts by the number of non-compliant subcontractors or workers.
An individual (personne physique) is a self-employed worker operating under their own name. A corporation (personne morale) is an incorporated business. Fines for corporations are systematically higher — generally 4 times the amount applicable to individuals.
No. The calculator only shows maximum statutory fines and estimated solidary liability. Legal fees, work stoppages, project delays, and reputational damage are not included — the true cost of non-compliance is often much higher.
VériBât automatically verifies your subcontractors' RBQ status in real time, tracks CCQ certificates with expiry alerts, and documents your due diligence. In case of an inspection, you have timestamped proof of your verifications.
Yes. Amounts are based on current schedules: RBQ fines 2026 and CCQ fines 2024 (revalorized by Bill 76). CNESST estimates are based on the most recent IRSST data. Official sources are cited directly in the calculator.
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