PROMOTING THE GROWTH OF GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES
The construction industry must be proactive so as to project an image that truly reflects its values and its vital contributions to Québec society. In pursuit of that goal, the ACQ has implemented initiatives to encourage and support contractors in developing management mechanisms that promote good business practices. That task is part of one of the Association’s key objectives: increase overall awareness in order to promote the growth of good business practices and healthy competition.
The collective action proposed by the ACQ aims to ensure construction companies are equipped with a concrete integrity program. This approach is at the heart of the ACQ’s sustainable development activities. By signing on to it, contractors can affirm their integrity and showcase the values on which they pride themselves to gain the trust of their partners, suppliers and the general public.
HISTORY OF THE PROCESS
On November 11, 2014, the ACQ submitted its recommendations to the Commission of Inquiry on the Awarding and Management of Public Contracts in the Construction Industry (better known as the Charbonneau Commission).
Collective action for integrity in the construction industry
On March 25, 2014, the ACQ released the recommendations of the CIRANO report, following a comprehensive analysis of possible solutions for enabling honest contractors to assert their integrity. The ACQ Integrity Program is inspired by a model of collective action to counter corruption put forward by the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), tried and tested around the world. Founded on voluntary participation, the program includes, among other things, a process for accreditation and identification of companies that have successfully completed it, as well as training and continuous improvement components.
To ensure the program is tailored more closely to the situation of Québec construction firms, the ACQ set up pilot projects with six companies representative of the industry as a whole and agreed on a working calendar with them.
- January, 2013: ACQ Board of Directors entrusts the CIRANO with a mandate
- March, 2014: Results of CIRANO study released; ACQ’s actions favouring integrity announced
- April ,2014: Start of pilot projects with six firms, each tasked with implementing an integrity program
- October, 2014: Progress report on the pilot projects submitted to the ACQ’s Annual Convention
- January, 2015: ACQ’s Service d’accompagnement (support and guidance service) set up for companies wishing to implement an integrity program