N-1.1, r. 3 - Regulation respecting labour standards

Updated to 1 July 2024

This document has official status.

chapter N-1.1, r. 3

Regulation respecting labour standards

Act respecting labour standards

(chapter N-1.1, ss. 88, 89 and 91).

The amounts prescribed in the Regulation have been indexed as of 1 May 2024 pursuant to the notice published in Part 1 (French) of the Gazette officielle du Québec of 20 April 2024, page 241. (s. 6)

DIVISION I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1. In this Regulation, unless the context requires otherwise

“remote area” means an area that is inaccessible by a passable road and where no regular transport system connects it to the Québec road network;

“forestry operation” means

(1)  an enterprise engaged in felling, stripping, cutting into lengths, transporting and loading wood on trucks, boats or railroad cars; mills or establishments where sawing or hewing are carried out exclusively for forestry operations, save for work involved in the transformation of wood once it leaves the forest;

(2)  an enterprise carrying out in the forest the construction and maintenance of roads, camps, locks, pillars, loading and floating facilities;

(3)  an enterprise carrying out works to enhance, clear, reforest, drain and irrigate forest land;

(4)  an enterprise to float logs;

(5)  an enterprise to protect forests;

(6)  an enterprise engaged in clearing for the purpose of constructing roads, highways, dams, transmission lines or any similar work in the forest;

(7)  an enterprise of a jobber, contractor, subcontractor or an intermediary who carries out his activities in the forest for the benefit of one of the enterprises mentioned above;

(8)  an enterprise of a lessee who leased the exclusive rights to hunt and fish part of the territory in the State lands;

(9)  an enterprise of an association mandated by the Minister of Natural Ressources and Wildlife in order to manage the wildlife on State lands;

(10)  an enterprise of a hunting and fishing outfitter;

“employee who receives gratuities or tips” means an employee who ordinarily receives gratuities or tips and who works

(1)  in an establishment that offers lodging to tourists in return for payment, including a campground;

(2)  in a place where alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises;

(3)  for an enterprise that sells, delivers or serves meals to be eaten off the premises; or

(4)  in a restaurant, except if it is a place where the main activity consists in the providing of food services to customers who order or choose the items at a service counter and who pay before eating;

“sawmill” means establishment where one of the following operations is carried out: sawing, cutting up, planning and all related operations such as drying, piling and delivery, but not including assembly;

“works on the territory of the James Bay region” means works carried out on the territory of the James Bay region and realized under the charge of Hydro-Québec, the Société d’énergie de la Baie-James or the Société de développement de la Baie-James.

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 1; O.C. 1288-90, s. 1; O.C. 638-2003, s. 1.

DIVISION II MINIMUM WAGE

2. The minimum wage established in this Division does not apply to the following employees:

(1)  student employed in a non-profit organization having social or community purposes, such as a vacation camp or a recreational organization;

(2)  trainee under a programme of vocational training recognized by law;

(3)  trainee under a programme of vocational integration under section 61 of the Act to secure handicapped persons in the exercise of their rights with a view to achieving social, school and workplace integration (chapter E-20.1);

(4)  employee entirely on commission who works in a commercial undertaking outside the establishment and whose working hours cannot be controlled;

(5)  (paragraph revoked);

(6)  (paragraph revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 2; O.C. 638-2003, s. 2; O.C. 525-2004, s. 1; O.C. 283-2007, s. 3; O.C. 318-2010, s. 4.

3. Subject to section 4 and except to the extent provided for in section 4.1, the minimum wage payable to an employee is $15.75 per hour.

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 3; O.C. 1394-86, s. 1; O.C. 1340-87, s. 1; O.C. 1316-88, s. 1; O.C. 1468-89, s. 1; O.C. 1288-90, s. 2; O.C. 1201-91, s. 1; O.C. 1292-92, s. 1; O.C. 1237-93, s. 1; O.C. 1375-94, s. 1; O.C. 1209-95, s. 1; O.C. 1150-96, s. 1; O.C. 1193-97, s. 1; O.C. 1148-98, s. 1; O.C. 1457-2000, s. 1; O.C. 959-2002, s. 1; O.C. 638-2003, s. 3; O.C. 327-2004, s. 1; O.C. 525-2004, s. 2; O.C. 306-2006, s. 1; O.C. 283-2007, s. 1; O.C. 311-2008, s. 1; O.C. 449-2009, s. 1; O.C. 318-2010, s. 1; O.C. 394-2011, s. 1; O.C. 365-2012, s. 1; O.C. 350-2013, s. 1; O.C. 343-2014, s. 1; O.C. 206-2015, s. 1; O.C. 285-2016, s. 1; O.C. 384-2017, s. 1; O.C. 466-2018, s. 1; O.C. 413-2019, s. 1; O.C. 454-2020, s. 1; O.C. 553-2021, s. 1; O.C. 663-2022, s. 1; O.C. 700-2023, s. 1; O.C. 714-2024, s. 1.

4. The minimum wage payable to an employee who receives gratuities or tips is $12.60 per hour.

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 4; O.C. 1394-86, s. 1; O.C. 1340-87, s. 2; O.C. 1316-88, s. 2; O.C. 1468-89, s. 2; O.C. 1288-90, s. 3; O.C. 1201-91, s. 2; O.C. 1292-92, s. 2; O.C. 1237-93, s. 2; O.C. 1375-94, s. 2; O.C. 1209-95, s. 2; O.C. 1150-96, s. 2; O.C. 1193-97, s. 2; O.C. 1148-98, s. 2; O.C. 1457-2000, s. 2; O.C. 959-2002, s. 2; O.C. 638-2003, s. 4; O.C. 327-2004, s. 2; O.C. 306-2006, s. 1; O.C. 283-2007, s. 1; O.C. 311-2008, s. 2; O.C. 449-2009, s. 2; O.C. 318-2010, s. 2; O.C. 394-2011, s. 2; O.C. 365-2012, s. 2; O.C. 350-2013, s. 2; O.C. 343-2014, s. 2; O.C. 206-2015, s. 2; O.C. 285-2016, s. 2; O.C. 384-2017, s. 2; O.C. 466-2018, s. 2; O.C. 413-2019, s. 2; O.C. 454-2020, s. 2; O.C. 553-2021, s. 2; O.C. 663-2022, s. 2; O.C. 700-2023, s. 2; O.C. 714-2024, s. 2.

4.1. The minimum wage payable to an employee assigned exclusively, during a pay period, to non-mechanized operations relating to the picking of raspberries or strawberries is established on the basis of yield according to the following rules:

(1)  for an employee assigned to the picking of raspberries: $4.68 per kilogram;

(2)  for an employee assigned to the picking of strawberries: $1.25 per kilogram.

However, an employee may not, on an hourly basis and for reasons beyond the employee’s control and linked to the state of the fields or fruit, earn less than the minimum wage rate prescribed in section 3.

O.C. 525-2004, s. 3; O.C. 306-2006, s. 2; O.C. 283-2007, s. 2; O.C. 311-2008, s. 3; O.C. 449-2009, s. 3; O.C. 318-2010, s. 3; O.C. 394-2011, s. 3; O.C. 365-2012, s. 3; O.C. 350-2013, s. 3; O.C. 343-2014, s. 3; O.C. 206-2015, s. 3; O.C. 285-2016, s. 3; O.C. 384-2017, s. 3; O.C. 466-2018, s. 3; O.C. 413-2019, s. 3; O.C. 454-2020, s. 3; O.C. 553-2021, s. 3; O.C. 663-2022, s. 3; O.C. 700-2023, s. 3; O.C. 714-2024, s. 3.

5. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 5; O.C. 1394-86, s. 1; O.C. 1340-87, s. 3; O.C. 1316-88, s. 3; O.C. 1468-89, s. 3; O.C. 1288-90, s. 4; O.C. 1201-91, s. 3; O.C. 1292-92, s. 3; O.C. 1237-93, s. 3; O.C. 1375-94, s. 3; O.C. 1209-95, s. 3; O.C. 1150-96, s. 3; O.C. 1193-97, s. 3; O.C. 1148-98, s. 3; O.C. 1457-2000, s. 3; O.C. 959-2002, s. 3; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

DIVISION III MAXIMUM AMOUNT TO BE PAID FOR MEALS AND ACCOMMODATION

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3; O.C. 365-2012, s. 4.

6. Where the employer, because of the employee’s working conditions, must provide meals or accommodation to the employee, or where the employer sees to it that accommodation is provided to the employee, no amount greater than the following may be charged to the employee

(1)  $2.61 per meal, up to $34.09 per week;

(2)  $32.78 per week for a room;

(3)  $58.98 per week for a dwelling where the room accommodates 4 employees or less and $39.35 where the room accommodates 5 employees or more.

For the purposes of this section,

(1)  “room” means a room in a dwelling unit that has a bed and a chest of drawers for each employee who is accommodated and that allows access to a toilet and a shower or bath;

(2)  “dwelling” means a dwelling unit that has at least one room and allows access to at least a washer and dryer as well as a kitchen with a refrigerator, a stove and a micro-wave oven.

No accommodation costs, other than the amounts provided for in the first paragraph, may be required from the employee, in particular for access to an additional room.

With each increase in the general rate of the minimum wage, the amounts provided for in section 6 are increased by the percentage corresponding to the increase in the general rate of the minimum wage, without exceeding the percentage corresponding to the Consumer Price Index.

The Consumer Price Index for a year is the yearly average computed on the basis of the monthly Consumer Price Index for Canada established by Statistics Canada under the Statistics Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. S-19), for the 12 months of the calendar year preceding the increase in the general rate of the minimum wage in relation to the 12 months of the calendar year prior to that year.

If the percentage computed under the fourth paragraph includes more than 2 decimals, only the first tow decimals are retained and the second decimal is increased by 1 unit if the third decimal is equal to or greater than 5.

The Minister publishes the result of the increase in the Gazette officielle du Québec.

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 6; O.C. 1292-92, s. 4; O.C. 1224-96, s. 1; O.C. 365-2012, s. 5.

7. Section 6 does not apply to an employee who works in an institution subject to subparagraph a of the first paragraph of section 1 of the Act respecting health services and social services for Cree Native persons (chapter S-5).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 7.

DIVISION IV STANDARD WORKWEEK

8. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 8; O.C. 1209-95, s. 4; O.C. 1193-97, s. 4; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

9. The standard workweek of the watchman who guards a property for an enterprise supplying a surveillance service is 44 hours.

The standard workweek for any other watchman is 60 hours.

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 9.

10. The standard workweek for an employee working in a forestry operation is 47 hours.

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 10.

11. The standard workweek for an employee working in a sawmill is 47 hours.

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 11.

12. The standard workweek for an employee working in a remote area is 55 hours.

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 12.

13. The standard workweek of the employee who works on the James Bay territory is 55 hours.

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 13.

DIVISION V

(Revoked)

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, Div. V; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

14. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 14; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

DIVISION VI

(Revoked)

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, Div. V; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

§ 1 . —

(Revoked)

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, Subdiv. 1; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

15. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 15; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

16. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 16; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

§ 2 . —

(Revoked)

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, subdiv. V; O.C. 638-2003, s. 2.

17. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 17; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

18. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 18; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

19. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 19; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

20. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 20; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

21. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 21; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

22. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 22; O.C. 959-2002, s. 4; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

23. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 23; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

§ 3 . —

(Revoked)

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, subdiv. 3; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

24. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 24; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

25. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 25; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

26. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 26; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

27. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 27; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

28. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 28; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

§ 4 . —

(Revoked)

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, subdiv. 4; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

29. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 29; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

30. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 30; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

31. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 31; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

32. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 32; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

33. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 33; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

34. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 34; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

35. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 35; O.C. 638-2003, s. 5.

DIVISION VI.0.1 NOTICE OF COLLECTIVE DISMISSAL

O.C. 638-2003, s. 6.

35.0.1. The employer sends to the Minister the notice of collective dismissal provided for in section 84.0.4 of the Act respecting labour standards (chapter N-1.1), at the contact information published on the department’s website concerning collective dismissal, by any means providing evidence of the date of receipt, date on which the notice takes effect.

O.C. 638-2003, s. 6; O.C. 553-2021, s. 4.

35.0.2. The notice of collective dismissal must contain

(1)  the name and address of the employer or establishment concerned and, if applicable, the Québec business number;

(2)  the sector of activity;

(3)  the names and addresses of the associations of employees, where applicable;

(4)  the reason for the collective dismissal;

(5)  the date anticipated for the collective dismissal;

(6)  the number of employees likely to be affected by the collective dismissal; and

(7)  the name of a representative of the employer, the representative’s position, and a telephone number and email address to contact the representative.

O.C. 638-2003, s. 6; O.C. 553-2021, s. 5.

DIVISION VI.1 WORK BY CHILDREN

O.C. 815-2000, s. 1; S.Q. 2023, c. 11, s. 12.

35.0.3. The prohibition against an employer having work performed by a child under 14 years of age set out in section 84.3 of the Act respecting labour standards (chapter N-1.1) does not apply to the following employees:

(1)  a child working as a creator or performer in a field of artistic endeavour referred to in the first paragraph of section 1 of the Act respecting the professional status of artists in the visual arts, film, the recording arts, literature, arts and crafts and the performing arts (chapter S-32.1);

(2)  a deliverer of newspapers or other publications;

(3)  a babysitter;

(4)  a child who provides homework assistance or tutoring;

(5)  a child working in a family enterprise with fewer than 10 employees if the child is a child of the employer or, where the latter is a legal person or partnership, a child of a director of that legal person or of a partner of that partnership, or if the child is a child of the spouse of one of those persons;

(6)  a child working in a non-profit organization having social or community purposes, such as a vacation camp or recreational organization;

(7)  a child working in a non-profit sports organization to assist another person or provide support, such as an assistant instructor, assistant coach or scorekeeper; and

(8)  a child working in an agricultural enterprise with fewer than 10 employees, where the child performs light manual labour to harvest fruits or vegetables, take care of animals or prepare or maintain soil.

The employees referred to in subparagraphs 5 to 8 of the first paragraph must work under the supervision of a person 18 years of age or over at all times.

The employees referred to in subparagraph 8 of the first paragraph must be 12 years of age or over.

S.Q. 2023, c. 11, s. 13.

35.1. The prohibition against employing a child to work between 11 p.m. on any given day and 6 a.m. on the following day does not apply to work that is creation or interpretation in a field of artistic endeavour referred to in the first paragraph of section 1 of the Act respecting the professional status of artists in the visual arts, film, the recording arts, literature, arts and crafts and the performing arts (chapter S-32.1).

O.C. 815-2000, s. 1; S.Q. 2023, c. 11, s. 14.

35.2. The requirement that an employer schedule a child’s working hours so that, having regard to the location of the child’s family residence, the child may be at that residence between 11 p.m. on any given day and 6 a.m. on the following day does not apply in the following cases, circumstances, periods or conditions:

(1)  creation or interpretation in a field of artistic endeavour referred to in the first paragraph of section 1 of the Act respecting the professional status of artists in the visual arts, film, the recording arts, literature, arts and crafts and the performing arts (chapter S-32.1); and

(2)  work for a social or community organization, such as a summer camp or a recreational organization, if the working conditions involve lodging at the employer’s establishment, provided the child is not required to attend school on the following day.

O.C. 815-2000, s. 1; S.Q. 2023, c. 11, s. 15.

DIVISION VII TEMPORARY AND FINAL PROVISIONS

36. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 36; O.C. 1394-86, s. 2.

37. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 37; O.C. 1394-86, s. 2.

38. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 38; O.C. 1394-86, s. 3; O.C. 1468-89, s. 4.

39. (Revoked).

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, s. 39; O.C. 1394-86, s. 4.

39.1. (Omitted).

O.C. 525-2004, s. 4; O.C. 283-2007, s. 3; O.C. 318-2010, s. 4.

SCHEDULE 1

(Revoked)

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3, Sch. 1; O.C. 1394-86, s. 5; O.C. 1340-87, s. 4; O.C. 1316-88, s. 4; O.C. 1468-89, s. 5.

REFERENCES

R.R.Q., 1981, c. N-1.1, r. 3

S.Q. 1986, c. 89, s. 50

O.C. 1394-86, 1986 G.O. 2, 2424

O.C. 1340-87, 1987 G.O. 2, 3255

O.C. 1316-88, 1988 G.O. 2, 3392

O.C. 1468-89, 1989 G.O. 2, 3774

S.Q. 1990, c. 30, s. 35

O.C. 1288-90, 1990 G.O. 2, 2425

O.C. 1201-91, 1991 G.O. 2, 3556

O.C. 1292-92, 1992 G.O. 2, 4360

S.Q. 1992, c. 21, s. 375

O.C. 1237-93, 1993 G.O. 2, 5126

O.C. 1375-94, 1994 G.O. 2, 4092

O.C. 1209-95, 1995 G.O. 2, 2792

O.C. 1150-96, 1996 G.O. 2, 3965

O.C. 1224-96, 1996 G.O. 2, 4102

O.C. 1193-97, 1997 G.O. 2, 4577

O.C. 1148-98, 1998 G.O. 2, 3769

O.C. 815-2000, 2000 G.O. 2, 3419

O.C. 1457-2000, 2000 G.O. 2, 5909

O.C. 959-2002, 2002 G.O. 2, 4509

O.C. 638-2003, 2003 G.O. 2, 1888

O.C. 327-2004, 2004 G.O. 2, 1187

O.C. 525-2004, 2004 G.O. 2, 1729

O.C. 306-2006, 2006 G.O. 2, 1229A

O.C. 283-2007, 2007 G.O. 2, 1309

O.C. 311-2008, 2008 G.O. 2, 1087

O.C. 449-2009, 2009 G.O. 2, 1307

O.C. 318-2010, 2010 G.O. 2, 866

O.C. 394-2011, 2011 G.O. 2, 943

O.C. 365-2012, 2012 G.O. 2, 1098

O.C. 350-2013, 2013 G.O. 2, 948

O.C. 343-2014, 2014 G.O. 2, 819

O.C. 206-2015, 2015 G.O. 2, 455

O.C. 285-2016, 2016 G.O. 2, 1437

O.C. 384-2017, 2017 G.O. 2, 904

O.C. 466-2018, 2018 G.O. 2, 1629

O.C. 413-2019, 2019 G.O. 2, 537A

O.C. 454-2020, 2020 G.O. 2, 877

O.C. 553-2021, 2021 G.O. 2, 1226

O.C. 663-2022, 2022 G.O. 2, 1067

O.C. 700-2023, 2023 G.O. 2, 534

S.Q. 2023, c. 11, ss. 12 to 15

O.C. 714-2024, 2024 G.O. 2, 1044