Twice a year, much of Québec's construction industry stops. The summer and winter holidays are set in the industry's collective agreements, and the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) publishes the dates. For contractors, trade suppliers and engineers, the shutdown creates two problems: a rush of orders before it and a pile-up after it. This guide gives the official dates through 2028, explains how to plan deliveries around them, and shows what a courier can and cannot do when a site is closed.
Quick answer
- The CCQ's dates for 2026 are July 19 to August 1 (summer) and December 20, 2026 to January 2, 2027 (winter). For 2027 they are July 25 to August 7 and December 19, 2027 to January 1, 2028.
- The CCQ says the summer holiday has been defined as the last two complete civil weeks (Sunday to Saturday) of July, a tradition slightly modified since 2008.
- Special rules apply to some sites, including maintenance and repairs, new light residential construction, and certain civil engineering and roads work. Check which rules cover your site.
- On a closed site there is usually no one to sign for a delivery. Plan deliveries to a staffed location, or deliver before the shutdown starts or after it ends.
- Order critical materials and parts two to three weeks ahead, name a site contact, and keep a courier on call for the emergencies that do not wait.
Official Dates, 2026 to 2028
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | July 19 (00:01) to August 1 (24:00), 2026 | July 25 to August 7, 2027 | July 23 to August 5, 2028 |
| Winter | December 20, 2026 to January 2, 2027 | December 19, 2027 to January 1, 2028 | December 24, 2028 to January 6, 2029 |
These dates come from the CCQ's page on holidays and vacations. The CCQ also notes that the dates of paid statutory holidays and of the obligatory annual vacation are set in the collective agreements. Dates beyond 2028 will be published by the CCQ in due course, so check its page before you plan a project schedule or a supply contract that crosses a holiday.
What the Shutdown Does to Supply
A construction holiday is not just two weeks off. It reshapes supply on both sides of it:
- Before: everyone orders at once. Suppliers see a surge, lead times stretch and last-day pickups get crowded. Anything you want on site before the stop needs an earlier cut-off than usual.
- During: gates are locked and supervisors are away, so there is no one to receive materials, count them or sign. Material left unattended on a closed site is exposed to weather and to theft.
- After: the whole industry restarts on the same morning. Orders that were held back arrive together, and the first-day delivery slots fill quickly.
A Countdown Plan
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| About four weeks before | List the materials, tools and spare parts the site cannot do without. Ask suppliers about their own holiday hours and last-order dates |
| Two to three weeks before | Place the orders. Ask for delivery before the shutdown begins, and book any recurring courier runs for the last week |
| Final week | Confirm a named site contact for each delivery. Arrange secure storage for anything that cannot be installed or used before the stop. Deliver the time-critical items first |
| During the shutdown | Keep a courier on call for emergencies at sites that remain open and for repairs that cannot wait. Deliver to a staffed location, not a locked gate |
| First week back | Pre-book the first-day deliveries and confirm who will be on site to receive them. Expect delays at supplier counters |
Which Sites Keep Working
The CCQ describes special rules for certain sites, including maintenance and repairs, new light residential construction, and certain civil engineering and roads work. Not every site, and not every trade, stops on the same dates. The general contractor or the project manager can tell you whether your site is covered. Do not assume a site is closed because the calendar says so, and do not assume it is open because your supplier is.
What a Courier Can and Cannot Do
| Situation | Courier can | Courier cannot |
|---|---|---|
| Site is closed and unstaffed | Deliver to your office, a supplier yard or a staffed storage location, and hold the shipment for you | Sign for you at a locked gate or leave valuable material outside unless you authorize it in writing and accept the risk |
| Site is open under special rules | Deliver to the named contact, with a signature and a time-stamped record | Guess which gate or which person is correct without instructions |
| You need a part before the stop | Run from the supplier counter to the site on the same day | Shorten the supplier's own cut-off |
| Emergency during the shutdown | Respond at any hour to a booking, subject to availability. See after-hours and holiday courier service | Reach a site that has no access and no one to open it |
Items That Cannot Wait
Some work does not follow the calendar. Heating, plumbing, electrical and roofing problems happen during the shutdown, and the winter holiday falls in the coldest weeks of the year. Pumps, controls, thermostats, breakers, valves and small tools are typical rush items. For the winter side, see winter courier delivery in Montréal. For recurring supply to a fixed site, see just-in-time parts delivery.
What to Tell the Courier
- The delivery address, whether the site is open, and the name and phone number of a person who will be there.
- Access details: gate hours, lock boxes, whether a signature is needed and who may give it.
- Size, weight and whether a lift or a dolly is needed.
- A second contact, because the first person is often on vacation during the shutdown.
- What to do if no one answers: wait, return to storage, or call you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the construction holiday in 2026?
According to the CCQ, the summer holiday runs from July 19 (00:01) to August 1 (24:00), 2026, and the winter holiday runs from December 20, 2026 to January 2, 2027.
When is the construction holiday in 2027?
The CCQ lists July 25 to August 7, 2027 for the summer holiday and December 19, 2027 to January 1, 2028 for the winter holiday.
Does every construction site close?
No. The CCQ describes special rules for certain sites, including maintenance and repairs, new light residential construction, and certain civil engineering and roads work. Confirm with the general contractor whether your site follows the general dates.
Can a courier deliver to a closed construction site?
Only if someone is there to receive and sign. Otherwise the delivery goes to a staffed location, or is held until the site reopens. Leaving material outside a locked gate should be done only with your written authorization.
Who sets the dates?
The holiday dates are set through the industry's collective agreements, and the CCQ publishes them. Check the CCQ's page for the current year before you plan.
Plan Around the Stop, Not Through It
The construction holiday is predictable, which makes it easy to plan around. Order early, name a contact, deliver to a place where someone can sign, and keep a courier on call for the work that does not stop.
Rush Expedited Courier delivers to contractors, suppliers and job sites across Montréal, with dispatch around the clock. Send the address, the site contact and the deadline through the quote form, or look over our courier services.
Sources and Further Reading
Facts on this page were checked against the sources below on October 28, 2026.