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Overview of Employment and Labour Laws in Quebec
Which law applies
The Act respecting labour standards (CQLR, c. N-1.1) and the Regulation respecting labour standards set the minimum working conditions in Quebec.
Who is covered or excluded
- Covered: most employees, full-time or part-time, including those working remotely.
- Excluded: notably self-employed workers and members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
- Partly covered: senior managers, as well as some occupations for specific standards, such as farm workers for overtime.
Provincial or federal?
Banks, interprovincial transportation, telecommunications and broadcasting fall under the Canada Labour Code. See our page on federal labour standards.
Who enforces the law
The CNESST informs employers, conducts investigations, receives complaints and can claim amounts owed on the employee’s behalf.
Minimum standards, contracts and collective agreements
The Act is a matter of public order: an employment contract or a collective agreement can offer more, never less.
Minimum Wage in Quebec
General rate and effective date
The general minimum wage is $16.60 an hour since May 1, 2026 (CNESST).
| Rate | Amount | In effect since |
|---|---|---|
| General rate | $16.60 an hour | May 1, 2026 |
| Employees with tips | $13.30 an hour | May 1, 2026 |
| Strawberry picking | $1.32 per kilo | May 1, 2026 |
| Raspberry picking | $4.93 per kilo | May 1, 2026 |
Special rates
Quebec has no student rate. Employees paid on commission or by the piece must earn at least the equivalent of the minimum wage.
Next increase and how it is set
The rate is reviewed every year by regulation, takes effect on May 1 and is not indexed automatically. The next review is expected on May 1, 2027.
What counts toward minimum wage
- Tips and benefits in kind cannot be used to reach the minimum.
- A deduction from pay requires a legal basis or the employee’s written authorization.
- Clothing bearing the company logo must be provided free of charge.
Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees in Quebec
Is there a separate rate?
Yes: $13.30 an hour since May 1, 2026. It applies to employees who usually receive tips, notably in a bar, a restaurant other than a fast-food outlet, or a tourist accommodation establishment. Kitchen staff receive the general rate.
Who owns tips
Tips belong entirely to the employee who provided the service, including tips paid by card.
Tip sharing
Employees who receive tips may agree among themselves on a tip-sharing arrangement. The employer can neither impose one nor take part in setting it up.
Prohibited deductions
No credit or debit card fees may be taken from tips. Declared tips count toward vacation pay and statutory holiday pay.
Overtime Rules in Quebec
Daily and weekly threshold
Overtime starts after 40 hours a week. There is no daily threshold.
Rate and sample calculation
Every hour beyond 40 is paid at time and a half (1.5 times the regular rate).
Averaging of hours
Staggering hours over up to 4 weeks is allowed by written agreement with the employee, as long as no week exceeds the regular workweek by more than 10 hours. Outside that framework, CNESST authorization is required.
Time off instead of overtime pay (banked time)
At the employee’s request only: 1.5 hours of time off per overtime hour, to be taken within 12 months. Otherwise, the hours are paid.
Exemptions
Notably managers, employees working outside the establishment whose hours cannot be controlled, farm workers and caregivers.
Right to refuse
An employee may refuse to work more than 2 hours beyond their usual daily hours, more than 14 hours in a 24-hour period, or more than 50 hours a week. They may also refuse because of family obligations.
Employer Record-Keeping Requirements in Quebec
Required records
For each employee: identity and hiring date, hours worked per day and per week (including overtime), rate and wages paid, deductions, indemnities and declared tips.
Retention period
At least 3 years after the last entry.
Electronic records
Allowed, as long as they are complete and quickly accessible during a CNESST investigation.
Pay slip
Provided with every pay, the pay slip shows, among other things, the pay period, regular and overtime hours, the rate, gross wages, deductions and net pay.
Employee access
The pay slip lets employees check their pay. If a complaint is filed, the CNESST can require the register.
Termination of Employment in Quebec: Notice and Pay
Notice by length of service
| Continuous service | Minimum notice |
|---|---|
| Less than 3 months | None |
| 3 months to less than 1 year | 1 week |
| 1 year to less than 5 years | 2 weeks |
| 5 years to less than 10 years | 4 weeks |
| 10 years or more | 8 weeks |
Source: CNESST
Pay in lieu of notice
Equal to the employee’s usual wages, excluding overtime, for the missing notice period. It is paid when the employee leaves.
Severance pay
The Act does not provide for it, but the Civil Code of Québec requires reasonable notice of termination, often longer than the legal minimum.
Exceptions
No notice is required for an employee with less than 3 months of service, at the end of a fixed-term contract, for serious misconduct or in a case of force majeure.
Collective dismissal
When 10 or more employees of the same establishment are affected within 2 months, the employer must notify the minister: 8 weeks ahead (10 to 99 employees), 12 weeks (100 to 299) or 16 weeks (300 or more) (CNESST).
Temporary layoff
No notice is required for a layoff of less than 6 months. Beyond that, the indemnity becomes payable. An employee with 2 years of service can contest a dismissal made without good and sufficient cause within 45 days.
Meal Break Rules in Quebec
Mandatory meal break
30 minutes after 5 consecutive hours of work (CNESST).
Paid or unpaid
Unpaid, unless the employee is not allowed to leave their work station.
Coffee breaks
Not mandatory. If you give them, they must be paid.
Special cases
- Weekly rest: 32 consecutive hours.
- Reporting pay: at least 3 hours of wages for an employee called in who works less than 3 hours, with some exceptions.
- Between two shifts: the law sets no minimum rest period.
Leaves and Statutory Holidays in Quebec
Statutory holidays and holiday pay
8 statutory holidays under the Act, plus the National Holiday (June 24). The holiday indemnity equals 1/20 of the wages earned in the 4 complete pay weeks before the week of the holiday, excluding overtime. For the dates, see Statutory holidays in Canada.
Annual vacation and vacation pay
| Continuous service | Vacation | Vacation pay |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 1 day per month (up to 2 weeks) | 4% |
| 1 year to less than 3 years | 2 weeks | 4% |
| 3 years or more | 3 weeks | 6% |
Sick leave
Up to 26 weeks of absence over 12 months. After 3 months of service, 2 days a year are paid, shared with family obligations. Since January 1, 2025, no supporting document may be required for the first 3 absences of 3 days or less in 12 months.
Family leave
- Maternity: 18 weeks
- Paternity: 5 weeks
- Parental: up to 65 weeks
- Birth or adoption: 5 days, 2 of them paid
- Death of an immediate family member: 5 days, 2 of them paid
- Family obligations: 10 days a year, 2 of them paid
Other job-protected leaves
Caregiver leave (16 weeks a year, up to 104 weeks depending on the situation), death of a minor child, suicide of a family member, marriage and reservist leave (CNESST).
Employing Minors in Quebec
Minimum working age
14 years since June 1, 2023, with exceptions such as babysitting, homework help or a family business with fewer than 10 employees.
Parental consent
Required in writing for a child under 14, using the CNESST form. No permit is required.
Hours allowed during the school year
A young person required to attend school may work at most 17 hours a week, including 10 hours from Monday to Friday. These limits do not apply during school breaks of more than 7 days.
Employer obligations
Check the employee’s age, keep the consent on file, respect school hours and track weekly hours (CNESST).
Restrictions for Young Workers in Quebec
Prohibited jobs and tasks
No work that is beyond the child’s capacities or likely to harm their education, health or development.
Night work
Prohibited between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. for a young person required to attend school, with exceptions such as newspaper delivery.
Maximum daily and weekly hours
No daily maximum specific to young workers. During the school year, the cap is 17 hours a week.
Health and safety
Employers must pay particular attention to the health and safety of workers aged 16 and under.
Penalties
Breaking these rules can lead to fines, which are higher for repeat offences.
