Quebec's labour minister is pursuing efforts to crack down on corruption in the construction industry with new legislation targeting fraud.

Amidst parliamentary hearings on a separate law that would limit union powers over job placement, Lise Thériault introduced Bill 35, legislation that targets fraud in the construction industry.

Thériault said Bill 35, along with Bill 33 currently under debate will give authorities the tools they need to crack down on corruption and collusion in the building trades.

Quebec's building authority, the Régie du bâtiment, will be able to prohibit contractors found guilty of tax fraud or other illegal activities from bidding for public contracts for a matter of years.

The Régie will no longer have to establish a connection between those fraudulent activities and the contractors' activities in the construction industry.

"It is a privilege to be granted a public contract. You should only get one if you are above reproach," Thériault said in Quebec City Wednesday.

Bill 35 would force contractors convicted of illegal activities to provide information on those activities to the Régie.

Connecting fraudulent activities to industry activities is at the centre of ongoing Régie investigations into two companies, Constructions Louisbourg and Simard-Beaudry Construction.

The new legislation would also increase fines imposed on companies convicted of fraud, and companies that attempt to sell or loan a construction license.

A recent Radio-Canada investigation revealed how common that illegal activity was in Quebec.

Theriault said she wants both bills to be passed before the end of the fall legislative session, in late November.