The Quebec Minister of Labour recently released the recommendations of an advisory board who looked at the issue of working as a minor in Quebec. These recommendations may eventually lead to changes in the law, but do you know the current rules?
True
In Quebec, there’s no minimum age to start working.
If someone is younger than 14, they will need a parent’s written permission to get most jobs. But there are some jobs that don’t require a parent’s written permission, like babysitting.
No matter what job a minor gets, working can’t get in the way of them attending school until the end of the school year when they turn 16.
False
There’s a minimum age for doing certain jobs. Here are some examples.
You must be at least 16 to
- drive a forklift,
- use a chainsaw to cut down trees, or
- work in an open-pit mine.
You must be at least 18 to work
- with explosives,
- in an underground mine, or
- in a bar.
But minors can work and serve alcoholic beverages in a restaurant.
False
While most minors can’t work between these hours, there are some exceptions.
This rule doesn’t apply to minors who are no longer required to go to school. It also doesn’t apply to minors who deliver newspapers or babysit.