Proposed changes to Quebec’s labour laws

At a glance

• An Act to Improve Certain Labour Laws (Bill 101) was adopted in principle by the National Assembly on 5 June 2025.

Bill 101's primary objective is to modernise various labour laws and improve employment standards, occupational health and safety, and labour relations. If passed, Bill 101 would introduce notable changes to Quebec’s labour laws.

The Bill would amend the leave provisions under the Act Respecting Labour Standards. Notably, it would allow employees to take unpaid leave without losing their job if they are unable to work due to public health orders or disasters (eg under the Public Health Act, the Quarantine Act, or the Emergencies Act). The Bill would also grant Canadian Armed Forces reservists the right to unpaid leave for international operations, and introduce leave for treatment or rehabilitation related to military service.

Bill 101 proposes an amendment to the Act to Modernize the Occupational Health and Safety Regime that would postpone by one year the deadline for implementing prevention and worker participation mechanisms, originally set for 6 October 2025. In the interim, employers would still be required to comply with interim occupational health and safety obligations, including risk identification, analysis, and prevention.

The Bill would amend the Labour Code to improve dispute resolution efficiency by imposing strict timelines for appointing arbitrators and initiating hearings. It would also require parties to engage in confidential mediation before arbitration and introduce annual financial disclosure requirements for unions.

The proposed provisions in the Bill may still be revised or discarded, in whole or in part, as the Bill advances through the legislative process.