Labour market
In the last thirty years, the economy of Québec has grown constantly and according to the statistics, the active population was numbered at 4 200 000 people in 2009. With the recession, there was an increase in the unemployment rate in 2009, which reached 8.5 %, compared to its level in 2007 and 2008, which was then 7.2 %. Even if the economy has to go through a hard period of recovery with jobs lost in 2010, economists predict a rarity of labour in numerous sectors and professions.
According to Emploi-Québec forecasts, some 152,000 jobs will be created between 2009 and 2013. Additionally, many existing positions will need to be filled by new workers, creating more than 490,000 jobs.
Labour standards
The Commission des normes du travail (Québec labour standards commission) sets the minimum conditions of employment for all workers in Québec, including the minimum wage, vacation time, paid statutory holidays, and family and parental leave. The conditions of employment agreed on by an employer and an employee may not be below the minimum labour standards.
Professional orders
Certain professions and trades are regulated in Québec. For example, the professions of nursing and engineering are regulated by professional orders, while the trades of electrician and painter are governed by other regulatory bodies.
The mission of the orders and other regulatory bodies is to protect the public. They can define criteria for joining and practising a trade or profession, assess skills and qualifications, and issue certificates and permits to qualified candidates. The conditions for joining and practising other trades and professions are determined by regulation – this includes some jobs in the financial sector, teaching, and the operation of heavy goods vehicles.
Amendments to the Professional Code, in force since June 2006, have given the professional orders the power to issue new types of permit to promote the integration of professionals who received their training outside Québec.
For more information on recent developments, see the list of the 45 .
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