MONTREAL – A Quebec labour tribunal has ordered the suspension of unscheduled roadside inspections because of concerns for employee safety.
Today’s ruling is in response to complaints by the union that represents the inspectors, who for years have warned that they are at risk of being assaulted by drivers who they intercept on the road.
The tribunal says the agency that oversees the inspectors — Contrôle routier Québec — does not adequately inform employees about the risks associated with inspections and fails to properly train them to carry out their work safely.
Roadside inspectors enforce rules around the transport of goods and people, monitoring such things as the mechanical condition of trucks and the emissions of heavy vehicles.
In a news release, the agency says it has been ordered to suspend all unscheduled inspections until its working conditions conform to the tribunal’s ruling.
The agency says it will ensure that the union participates in its review of worker safety measures.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 7, 2025.
