The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly changed our lives and continues to do so. This guide has useful legal information and other resources.
Government Resources
To get the latest updates, visit the websites of the Quebec or Canadian governments or Santé Montréal. (This last site has information in multiple languages.)
Public Health Measures and Restrictions
Restrictions on activities vary across the province depending what alert level your region is in. Your region’s alert level and rules are posted on the Quebec government’s website.
Learn more:
Decrees and Ministerial Orders: What Are They?
No Mask? You Could Be Fined.
Protesting During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Can the COVID-19 Vaccine Be Mandatory?
Read our column in the Journal de Montréal (French only)
Work and Compensation Programs
Remote Work
Remote work (sometimes also called “teleworking”) is more popular than ever. To learn about your rights and responsibilities during remote work, including occupational health and safety rules, consult our Facebook Live Work in the Time of COVID-19.
Learn more:
Employment Insurance
It’s now easier to qualify for Employment Insurance (EI). The new simplified EI program will only require 120 hours worked in the past year. Normally, you must work between 420 and 700 hours to qualify.
Also, the EI program now pays a minimum of $500 per week.
Learn more:
External Resource
Other Compensation Programs
If you don’t qualify for Employment Insurance, you can apply to one of the three programs that replaced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
Learn more:
Family
Daycare
If your child attends a subsidized daycare and you live in a red zone, you have the option to keep your child home. But to keep your place in the daycare, you must continue paying your contribution, if the daycare service is still being offered.
School
Going to school during a global pandemic requires some changes.
Learn more:
Care Facilities
In red zones, visits are not allowed in these places:
- long-term care facilities (CHSLD)
- intermediate resources
- family resources
- private seniors’ residences
There are two exceptions:
- visits to a person at the end of life or to give care or services required by a person’s state of health
- visits by caregivers who provide significant help to a senior
Caregivers who visit a senior must understand the risks. They must also agree to follow all public health rules and rules of the facility.
Learn more:
Consumers
Given current health measures, you might want to shop online. Check out our Facebook Live on online shopping to understand your rights and how to better protect yourself.