Josée Dufour has been a key player in Québec’s construction industry since 2007. She is president of Axiomatech, a technical building maintenance company with a general contractor license, president of the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a board member of Elles de la construction, a group that defends and promotes the rights and interests of women working in the construction industry. In this exclusive interview, Chantal Cousineau, Partner and Real Estate & Construction Practice Leader at BDO, sits down with her to discuss women’s experience in the construction industry.
Chantal Cousineau (CC): Josée, you started out in the pharmaceutical industry before venturing into construction. How did you successfully make a name for yourself in this largely male-dominated business?
Josée Dufour (JD): I’ve always wanted to work in construction. As a kid, I used to dream I’d become a carpenter. But back then, it wasn’t really a thing and a number of relatives discouraged it. So when I decided to start my own construction business, I already knew how to make my own way without much support, except from my spouse.
He helped me build my company, with respect as its core value. This was well before the Charbonneau Commission— Commission of Inquiry on the Awarding and Management of Public Contracts in the Construction Industry— that brought about sweeping changes in Québec’s construction industry. We adopted a code of ethics, which was quite uncommon at the time, to grow our business while upholding values of respect, integrity, and transparency. Our first clients were in the aerospace industry, so we drew from their best practices to set our own standards.
I must say that we lost out on some business opportunities because of our rigorous approach, but I was adamant about it. I recall a former partner who told me that I should not expect to transform the construction industry with my convictions, yet, now there’s a code of ethics on his company’s website!
Respect is my guiding principle. I will not tolerate anyone disrespecting me or anyone else on a construction site, regardless of their gender.
(CC): You’re involved with Elles de la construction as a Board member. Why is it important for you to partner with an organization that supports women in your industry?
JD: Getting support and advice from people around me, whether from relatives, friends, or professional contacts, has always been a challenge throughout my career in construction. I needed helpful resources but couldn’t find any. I came across Elles de Construction a few years down the road and recognized the importance of their mission.
I got involved to provide support to all women in construction—entrepreneurs, professionals, or tradeswomen—to ensure that they don’t face the same challenges as I did. It’s our own girls club.
On job sites, women often don’t demonstrate solidarity in order to fit in and avoid being discriminated against. It’s a defence mechanism. A group like ours is key to alleviating isolation and advancing our cause.
(CC): Have you noticed any changes within the industry over the course of your career and your involvement with Elles de la construction?
JD: People talk more about the plight of women in construction, especially on sites and the harassment they face. Change may be slow but it’s happening. We can see it because people attending our training sessions are demonstrating increased awareness. Men also experience harassment, violence, and bullying on construction sites. The most remarkable thing is that we’re talking about it more openly.
With the current labour shortage, even governments are getting involved, notably the Ministry of Labour. In 2023, women accounted for only 3.8% of all construction workers, and the government wants this figure to rise to 4.5% by 2024, which would represent 8,700 women. It’s important that we tackle this challenge systemically, in training and on actual job sites. We should also remember that only 16% of contractors hire women even when they have the right skills. Why is this the case? We need to address this issue.
I’m proud that Les Elles has successfully engaged with unions, employers, and the Secrétariat à la condition féminine. We’ve managed to establish our credibility. We are non-partisan, have no employer or union affiliations, and simply want what’s best for women.
(CC): Your company is among the 16% of those that hire women and send them to work on construction sites. In your opinion, what are the obstacles to more companies following suit?
JD: There are some prejudices that persist, notably the belief that women are somehow weaker or less efficient and that they’re better suited to finishing tasks rather than to building. However, with a competency card and the right equipment—for example lighter tools, clothing that fits, or an exoskeleton which is starting to be used on work sites—a woman can perform the same job as a man.
The fact is women have a different way of approaching problems and this can be seen in all fields not just construction. While I see this as a strength, as it creates synergy on a site, there are still many contractors and workers who remain close-minded.
Personally, I’ve noticed that my work sites staffed by women are generally cleaner, have less debris on the ground, and are thus much safer. Women are more likely to use lifting tools and work in teams and are less reluctant to wear personal protective equipment. As far as I’m concerned, it’s all positive.
(CC): Would you say that your company benefits today from being run by a woman?
JD: When I started out, I was told to have my partner sign my offers so that they would be read. Although I found it insulting, it challenged me and drove me to find other ways of standing out from the rest. Then the Women Owned certification was introduced. We can dispute its usefulness, but it gives me access to new niche markets and additional ways of reaching potential customers.
My team, together with our commitment, remains my greatest asset. Although I’m president and head of business development, if a project requires more technical expertise, I’ll call on my partner or one of my project managers regardless of gender. Our dedication, proven time and again, is what sets us apart. For instance, our subcontractors know they’re going to get paid, which is unfortunately not always the case in our industry.
So our reputation for thoroughness, hard work, and respect is what really gives us the edge. No doubt my experience as a woman who worked hard to earn people’s respect has something to do with it.
(CC): You take diversity seriously. How do you approach it on a day-to-day basis?
JD: I don’t care about the name on someone’s resume. I’m more interested in a person’s soft skills than their technical know-how. I ask a lot of questions before hiring an employee. We have a chat in my office over coffee. I get a sense of the person’s attitude and values.
From my point of view, 80% of construction is about human relations. Of course, there’s a job to be done but it’s all about people working together. Technique is important but you can learn anything with a little dedication. I’m looking for the right person for the role, someone who shares our values in terms of respect regardless of gender or ethnicity.
(CC): What are the challenges that still need to be tackled when it comes to women’s rights?
JD: We can’t take any of our achievements for granted.
The fact is that almost 55% of women leave the industry within five years. Although the turnover rate is higher for women than for men, they bring up the same issues when they resign, notably the difficulty to balance work and family life. How can we retain these people? It’s a challenge for the entire industry but one that directly affects women, especially if they are mothers or looking to become mothers.
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