Bill 19: Update on working age bill in Quebec

RCC continued to assert its positions with the Government of Quebec until the second round of work on Bill 19, an Act respecting the regulation of work by children, which took place on May 26, 2023. RCC was in communication with the Office of the Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet, in particular, regarding the date of assent of the law. It is now determined that children under the age of 14 will lose their right to work as soon as the law is assented to, with some exceptions.

Companies that employ children under the age of 14 covered by the exemptions will have 30 days after the law has received the assent to obtain consent.

For 14-16-year-olds, the proposed changes (limit of 17 hours of work per week) will only be applied as of September 1st, 2023. RCC is advocating for the changes to apply on that date for all young people, not just during the summer.

To date, we have had several discussions with Minister Boulet’s office, opposition parties, and other economic associations to reiterate and strengthen our demands.