The provincial construction inspector told the gathering of parents, grandparents and teachers that painting a school for free — and without the proper licence — is illegal in Quebec. In response, the government announced earlier this month it would soon loosen the rules in order to allow volunteering on some construction work, a decision criticized by Quebec’s major labour federation. After he was caught painting, the school was forced to hire professionals to complete the work at $94 an hour. These high costs, coupled with union rules and bureaucracy, are making it increasingly difficult for small towns to pay for construction work without the help of volunteers. Thibert said volunteering is “in the DNA” of people in small towns across Quebec.

Source: National Post April 23, 2017 11:03 UTC