(Quebec) Quebec is considering imposing a minimum age to work, as well as a maximum number of hours that a young person can work.
In an interview on Friday, Labor Minister Jean Boulet said he was helped in his thinking by Liberal MP Marwah Rizqy.
The latter had requested and obtained a meeting with the Minister to discuss in particular the increase in the number of work accidents involving children.
They jumped 36% among those under 16 in 2021.
“It is certain that Marwah will be consulted again,” declared the minister, who also wishes to work on this “cross-cutting issue” with Québec solidaire and the Parti québécois.
Minister Boulet says he is looking for a consensus; he will also receive a report from the Labor and Labor Advisory Committee on December 8th.
According to him, there have always been children in the labor market, but the phenomenon has recently been “amplified” with the shortage of labour.
It does not rule out legislating to achieve two objectives: protecting the health and safety of children, and not compromising their academic career.
In other words, it is a question of granting “maximum protection” to young people.
“I am concerned about the minimum age. I’m also interested in working as many hours as possible, either daily or weekly,” said Mr. Boulet.
“I am not at this stage to confirm that we are going to draft a bill, but the reflection is not far from its conclusion. […] In January-February, I want this file to progress, ”he continued.
Unlike other Canadian provinces, Quebec does not impose a minimum legal age to work. With parental permission, a child can start working at any time.
But that does not mean that Quebec is a dunce in Canada, underlines the minister. Several “scattered” articles in Quebec laws already govern child labor.
In particular, he recalls that a young person aged 16 or under who has not obtained a diploma cannot work during school hours.
Moreover, he maintains that work can be “beneficial” for a young person, who can flourish within a family business, in the agricultural sector, or by doing babysitting, for example.
Last year, British Columbia raised the minimum working age from 12 to 16. However, it is possible for younger people in this province to do “light” work.