Act Respecting Labour Standards
(Québec)
The Commission des normes du travail (CNT) is the organization responsible for the application of the Act Respecting Labour Standards as well as the National Holiday Act. The Act Respecting Labour Standards establishes the minimum conditions of employment for Quebec employees, providing the framework for universal labour standards.
wages (wage rates, payment, pay slips);
calculation of indemnities for workers receiving tips;
the duration of work and the right of an employee to refuse to work in excess of a certain number of hours;
rest periods;
statutory, non-working and paid holidays;
paid annual leave;
special clothing;
work done by children;
maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave;
absence due to illness, accident or criminal act;
notice of lay-off;
notice of dismissal;
notice of termination of employment and notice of collective dismissal;
recourses available for employees who believe that they:
• are owed money by their employer;
• have been victims of prohibited practices;
• have been dismissed without just and sufficient cause;
• have been victims of psychological harassment.
Minimum Wage Rates
Since May 1, 2009, minimum wage rates are as follows:
General minimum wage: $9.00 per hour
Employees receiving tips: $8.00 per hour
Employees in the clothing industry: $9.00 per hour
Regular Work Week
The duration of a regular work week is 40 hours. The regular work week is used to determine when an employee must be paid a wage with a 50% premium (time and a half). However, applicable legislation makes provision for certain exceptions.
The National Holiday
June 24 is Quebec’s "National Holiday" - which is a non-working, paid statutory holiday. If June 24 falls on a Sunday, the statutory holiday is on the Monday, June 25 only for those employees who do not ordinarily work on Sunday. All employees are entitled to a holiday on this day.
Contributions
The Commission des normes du travail finances its activities through a contribution collected from employers. The collection of this contribution, as stipulated in the Act respecting Labour Standards, is carried out by Revenu Québec. The contribution rate currently in effect is 0.08% of the remuneration subject to the contribution paid to an employee, up to an annual maximum of $62,500.
The CNT on the Internet
The Commission des normes du travail Web site offers a wealth of information on the Act Respecting Labour Standards. Questions submitted to the Web site will be answered within 24 hours. The CNT Web site also offers calculation tools for the indemnities provided for under the Act respecting Labour Standards, a sample of a pay slip and interactive tools (guides, videos, etc.) to help prevent psychological harassment in the workplace.
Additional Information
Montreal: 514-873-7061
Elsewhere in Quebec (toll free): 1-800-265-1414
