Labour market
The Québec labour market offers excellent
employment opportunities. Despite the global economic crisis, the unemployment rate has dropped and remains steady at around 8.2% (
Statistics Canada, 2010).
Growth Sectors
Employment growth should be greater over the next few years in service-oriented areas. Job gains are expected in the following activity sectors:
- health care and social assistance
- trade
- science
- finance and insurance
- services for business
- food and accomodation
- information, culture and recreation
Average annual earnings before taxes in 2009
| Jobs |
No experience |
3 years’ experience |
| Communication professional |
$46,892 |
$64,257 |
| Engineer |
$56,937 |
$80,692 |
| Lawyer |
$59,357 |
$99,464 |
| Teacher (elementary or secondary level) |
$50,344 |
$53,029 |
| Human resources professional |
$48,729 |
$65,274 |
| Computer technician |
$40,729 |
$49,849 |
| Administrative technician |
$37,961 |
$46,452 |
| Secretarial staff |
$37,670 |
$41,317 |
| Sûreté du Québec (provincial police) agent |
$37,044 |
$53,298 |
Source: ISQ, Conseil du trésor and Sûreté du Québec
Average salary
Per capita income before taxes is $31,255 (2007).
Age, standards and laws
In Québec, the Commission des normes du travail du Québec governs relations between employers and employees in accordance with the Act respecting labour standards. It is prohibited for a child under 16 years of age to work during regular school hours. An employer who wishes to have work done by a child under the age of 14 must obtain the written consent of the child’s parents or guardian.
In addition, employers cannot ask a children (under 18 years old) to do work that exceeds their capacities or that might adversly affect their health, education or physical or moral development.
