Updated November 2008

QUEBEC PROGRESS OF BILLS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES CHART

provided by HRinfodesk.com—Canadian Payroll and Employment Law News

Law/Detail

Summary

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Click on FEDERAL PROGRESS OF BILLS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES CHART to view the federal government's Bills, Regulations and Policies in progress.

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Liberal Leader Jean Charest has asked Quebec's lieutenant-governor to dissolve the legislature so that an election can be held December 8, 2008, turning it into a referendum on the economy. All unresolved Bills die on the order paper and must be re-introduced.

1. Progress of Government and Private Members' Bills (new and amended legislation).

Bill 192, An Act to amend the Labour Code

This bill amends the Labour Code so that a minimum percentage of services are maintained at all times where the Government makes an order directing a public transit authority constituted by the Act respecting public transit authorities and a certified association to maintain essential services in the event of a strike. First Reading June 6, 2007 Link to Bill 192. Died on the order paper

Bill 399, Québec Public Sector Employees Disclosure Protection Act

The Bill establishes a procedure for the disclosure of wrongdoings committed by Québec public sector employees and to protect those who disclose wrongdoings. If enacted, the bill will come into force on the day it receives royal assent. Link to Bill 399. First reading October 28, 2008. Died on the order paper

Bill 390, An Act to amend the Act respecting conditions of employment in the public sector

The purpose of this bill is to amend the Act respecting conditions of employment in the public sector so that it will cease to apply to the association of employees representing residents in medicine and to the employees it represents. Link to Bill 390. Died on the order paper

Bill 37, An Act giving effect to the Budget Speech delivered on 24 May 2007, to the 1 June 2007 Ministerial Statement Concerning the Government's 2007-2008 Budgetary Policy and to certain other budget statements

This bill amends various legislation to give effect to budgetary measures announced in the Budget Speech delivered on 24 May 2007, in the 1 June 2007 Ministerial Statement Concerning the Government's 2007-2008 Budgetary Policy and in Information Bulletins published by the Ministère des Finances in 2006 and 2007. It also gives effect to certain measures announced in the Budget Speech delivered on 23 March 2006. The Bill received First Reading on December 4, 2007 and is being reviewed since May 15, 2008.Died on the order paper

2. Progress of New and Amended Regulations.

An Act respecting hours and days of admission to commercial establishments

The proposed regulation recommends that large supermarkets (with sales areas over 375 square meters) be closed on January 1, Easter Sunday, June 24, the first Monday in September, December 25, and until 1:00 p.m. on December 26. Smaller grocery stores (with sales areas of 375 square meters or less) may continue normal operations without restricting the number of employees during these periods, to respond to consumer needs. As regards pharmacies, the current plan—in which a maximum of four employees may work on these dates—will be maintained. To better serve the public, this proposal also recommends that all grocery stores and pharmacies be open on January 2 and July 1, with no restriction on employee numbers. Currently, the certain grocery stores can remain open on public (statutory) holidays, but for seven of these days-the aforementioned five, as well as Canada Day and January 2-they can employ only a reduced staff. Also, they can have no more than four employees working after 8 p.m. on weekends and after 9 p.m. on weekdays throughout the year. Quebec Economic Development Minister Raymond Bachand said they hope to have the regulation tabled and passed by the winter holiday season.

3. Progress of New and Amended Policies

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Click on FEDERAL PROGRESS OF BILLS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES CHART to view the federal government's enacted Bills, Regulations and Policies.

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Bill 40, An Act to amend the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases and the Workers' Compensation Act

will amend the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases mainly with respect to financial matters. In addition, the Bill clarifies the provisions concerning the insurance coverage applicable to the members of the board of directors of a legal person. An executive officer of a legal person regardless of the work the executive officer does for the legal person is added in the definition of worker; and changes the way the employers' assessment is collected, providing for it to be paid in periodic payments calculated on the basis of the salaries or wages paid to workers over a period among other things. First reading November 14, 2006 Link to Bill 40. Bill 40 was passed on December 13, 2006 and received Royal Assent on December 14. It will come into force by proclamation at a later date.

Bill 98, An Act to amend the Act respecting labour standards principally with regard to reservists

This bill amends the Act respecting labour standards to provide for the right of an employee who is a reservist of the Canadian Forces to be absent, without pay, in order to take part in the annual training and various operations of the Canadian Forces outside Canada and, in certain cases, in Canada. The bill specifies the conditions on which and manner in which that right is to be exercised. Link to Bill 98. First Reading on June 18, 2008. Went to Committee on June 19, 2008 and report tabled on June 20, 2008. This Bill received third reading on October 23, 2008 and Royal Assent on October 29, 2008. It is now in force.