Having worked on projects in Quebec, I can tell you the system is 50 shades of corrupt.
- You're legally forbidden to hire a non-unionized person to do construction.  Fines for homeowners and GC's are often 15,000$.  Not rare at all
- The RBQ has snitch lines in place.  Ratting out workers is a very common practice.
- IF you're an electrician, for example, you cannot necessarily work, becuase you cannot necessarily be allowed into the union.  The union is allowed to say, "nah, we got enough guys in this region, thanks for applying".  And you're blocked.
-  Arcane rules.  Example: a bricklayer/mason is not allowed mixing his own mortar.  His *apprentice* must mix it.  The bricklayer must lay the bricks.  (read: you can't hire a bricklayer alone, you have to pay 30-40/hr for some lackey [sorry, "apprentice"] along with the pro).
The list goes on.