This Quebec EOR expert guide covers the essentials of hiring in Quebec through an EOR.
Hiring in Quebec comes with a unique (and challenging) set of rules that do not apply in any other Canadian province including mandatory French documentation, strong employee protections, different overtime rules, and oversight by CNESST rather than a federal body.
If you want to hire in Montreal or elsewhere in Quebec without opening a Canadian legal entity, an Employer of Record (EOR) can manage all provincial compliance on your behalf.
What an EOR in Quebec Does
An EOR becomes the legal employer of your Quebec-based worker and manages all aspects of compliance, including:
- Payroll and tax deductions under Quebec law
- Mandatory French-language employment documents
- Holiday pay and vacation rules under Quebec’s Labour Standards Act
- CNESST registration and workplace safety obligations
- Provincial parental leave & protected leave management
- Termination rules and just-cause protections
For foreign employers, this avoids the need to register a Canadian (or local Quebec provincial) entity.
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Key Employment Rules in Quebec
Quebec’s legal framework is different from the rest of Canada, both culturally and legislatively. These differences matter for payroll, termination, and documentation. We’ve summarised the key items you (and your local EOR) should be keeping in mind.
Mandatory French Language Requirements
This is a frequent source of non-compliance for non-Quebec employers and a core function of the EOR.
- Employment contracts must be provided in French
- Employee handbooks and workplace policies must be available in French
- Payroll documents must be accessible in French e.g. payslips
- English versions may be provided BUT only after French is offered.
Hours of Work & Overtime
Quebec uses a simple overtime rule: 1.5× pay for hours above 40 per week.
There is no daily overtime threshold (unlike British Columbia). However, keep in mind that enforcement is strict.
Vacation Pay & Statutory Holidays in Quebec
Vacation entitlement:
- 1–3 years → 2 weeks vacation
- 3+ years → 3 weeks vacation
- Vacation pay: 4% or 6%
Public holidays:
- National Patriots’ Day
- St. Jean Baptiste Day (unique to Quebec)
Holiday pay must be calculated using Quebec’s provincial formula.
Termination, “Just Cause” Protections & Severance
From our experience, it’s fair to say that handling terminations are one of the biggest reasons companies choose a Quebec EOR given that managing Quebec terminations incorrectly can be extremely costly.
- Employees with 2+ years of uninterrupted service can only be dismissed for “good and sufficient cause”
- Without valid cause, termination may lead to reinstatement orders, not only compensation
- Termination must comply with Quebec’s Labour Standards Act
Leaves of Absence (Quebec-Specific)
QPIP has different rules and rates than federal EI. Note that the Quebec EOR manages all registrations and contributions on your behalf which need to include the following:
- Maternity & parental leave (under QPIP, not federal EI)
- Family caregiver leave
- Medical leave
- Bereavement leave
- Domestic violence leave
Payroll & Deductions
Payroll in Quebec is materially different due to:
- Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)
- Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP)
- Health Services Fund contributions
- CNESST safety premiums
The Quebec EOR manages all QPP, QPIP, EI adjustments, provincial tax tables and CNESST classification.
Why EOR is Particularly Useful in Quebec
For foreign employers, managing Quebec alone can feel like managing a separate country. As such, a Quebec EOR makes the end-to-end hiring workflow much simpler.
- French-language compliance (contracts + policies)
- Unique provincial leave & benefits programs
- CNESST registration and safety reporting
- QPP, QPIP and Quebec tax remittances
- Stricter termination and reinstatement rules
- Quebec-specific public holidays
- Different employer contribution rates
Estimated Employer Costs in Quebec
Employers typically pay ~10–17% of salary in Quebec. Employer-side contributions include:
- Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) – 5.40% (~$405/month on CA$7,500)
- Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) – 0.692% (~CA$52/month)
- Employment Insurance – Quebec employer rate (EI) – 1.46% (~CA$110/month)
- Quebec Health Services Fund (HSF) – 1.25–4.26% (~CA$95–CA$320/month)
- CNESST Workplace Safety Insurance – 1–4.5% (~CA$75–CA$340/month)
- Vacation pay – 4–6% (~CA$300–CA$450/month)
Total estimated employer burden: ~CA$1,037 to CA$1,677 per month
Frequently Asked Questions on Quebec EOR
Yes EOR is widely used by foreign companies hiring in Montreal and other Quebec cities.
Yes. Quebec law requires that French versions be provided first.
Yes including QPP, QPIP, and the Health Services Fund. The EOR will handle them on your behalf.
Yes, it’s fair to say that it’s harder to terminate someone in Quebec than in another Canadian province. Employees with 2+ years of service receive “just cause” protections, making termination more complex than in other provinces.
Yes. Employees are covered under all provincial entitlements, including public healthcare and parental leave via QPIP.
Written by
Courtney Pocock is a Copywriter & EOR/PEO Researcher at Employsome with 15+ years of experience writing for the HR, corporate, and financial sectors. She has a strong interest in global business expansion and Employer of Record / PEO topics, focusing on news that matters to business owners and decision-makers. Courtney covers industry updates, regulatory changes, and practical guides to help leaders navigate international hiring with confidence.
Our content is created for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide any legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Please obtain separate advice from industry-specific professionals who may better understand your business’s needs. Read our Editorial Guidelines for further information on how our content is created.