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Child Labour Policy in Quebec

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Article 1: Applicable Areas

These policies are voluntary, and apply to youth working for one or more employers, with the exception of occasional work such as babysitting, family chores, or grass cutting. This policy recognises a child as a person less than 16 years of age.

Article 2: Age Limit

Employers agree to not employ children less than 13 years of age.

Article 3: Labour Conditions

Employers agree not to cause harm to the health, morality, or development of the child.

Article 4: Minimum Conditions

The employer agrees to conform to the Law of Work Norms when he/she hires youth.

Article 5: Working Hours

The employer agrees to:

1. not oblige youth less than 16 years of age to work more than 15 hours per week during the school year
2. respect a limit of 2 hours of paid work per day during school days and 7 hours other days
3. not employ youth during hours that they are obligated to attend classes
4. to provide, as much as possible, work that is compatible with the school year and especially exam schedules

Article 6: Working nights

The employer agrees to not employ youth between 9:30 pm and 6:00 am.

Article 7: Health and Security at Work

The employer agrees to:

1. guarantee working conditions that are appropriate for the youth’s age, and exclude any work that can impede their physical and physiological development
2. take any possible measures to protect the youth against work related accidents and illness
3. ensure that youth do not undertake any activity that would endanger their security or mental and physical health

Article 8: Protection

This policy must not affect the level of protection already accorded to young workers by other laws.

This policy was created jointly by the Teaching Centre of Quebec and the Management Council of Quebec. September 1996.