Province-wide guides

Employment Insurance (EI) in Quebec: who qualifies, how much you receive, how long, and the steps to apply after losing your job.

Employment Insurance (EI) is a federal program funded by withholdings on your paycheck. Paid for: job loss with no fault, illness, caregiver, and more. Main conditions: Insurable hours: between 420 and 700 in the last 52 weeks (varies by region) Have lost your job with no fault (layoff, end of contract...) Be ready and able to work Actively looking for a job The benefits: 55 % of your average s...

Decoding your pay stub: gross, net, federal and provincial deductions.

Two key terms: Gross salary: before deductions Net salary: what lands in your account The gap: about 25 to 35 % in Quebec. Federal deductions: Federal income tax (varies with income) EI: 1.30 % in Quebec (a reduced rate, since QPIP covers parental leave) CPP: in Quebec, replaced by the QPP (see below) Provincial deductions specific to Quebec: Provincial income tax (higher than elsewhere in Cana...

Writing a Quebec-style résumé: the expected format and structure, what to leave out (no photo, no age) and the cultural codes recruiters look for.

The basic format: 1 page for young professionals, 2 pages maximum for experienced profiles Sober font: Calibri, Arial, size 10 or 11 No bright colors, no backgrounds, no decorative frames Do NOT include: No photo No date of birth or age No marital status No nationality No religion or origin This is protected by Quebec's Charter of Rights. Recommended structure, in this order: 1. Name + contact ...

Preparation, cultural codes, and classic questions of the Quebec interview.

Before the interview, read: The company website (« About » page) Recent news (Google News) The LinkedIn profile of the company and your future manager Note 2 or 3 points that genuinely interest you about them. Simple rule: one notch above the company's usual style. Standard office: dress pants + shirt or blouse Banking, law, management: suit and tie or tailored suit Creative or tech: outfit tha...

Minimum wage, hours, overtime, vacation, leaves and end of employment — what the law guarantees almost every employee in Quebec.

In Quebec, the Act respecting labour standards sets the minimum conditions almost every employer must respect: wages, hours, vacation, leaves, end of employment. It's a floor: your employer can offer more, never less. Most employees are covered — full time, part time, paid hourly, on commission or by output. The body that enforces these rules is the CNESST. Key point: you cannot waive a labour ...

Comparative evaluation, professional orders, and steps to validate your qualifications.

Without recognition, you risk underemployment. Recognition validates your real qualification level. The MIFI comparative evaluation compares your foreign diploma to Quebec diplomas. Many employers and professional orders require it. 46 professional orders regulate professions in Quebec, including: Doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists Engineers, architects, surveyors Accountants (CPA), lawyers...

A large share of Quebec jobs are found through networks, not posted ads. Here's how to build yours — LinkedIn, informational interviews, events and mentorship.

Many newcomers send out dozens of résumés with no reply and conclude the market is closed. The real explanation is often different: in Quebec, a large share of positions are filled through networks and referrals — often before they're even posted. This is the hidden job market. An employer who receives a candidacy referred by a trusted person looks at it differently. Networking doesn't mean kno...

Quebec's public pension plan in plain language: who contributes, how much, what you'll receive, when to start, and the disability and survivor benefits.

Retirement income in Canada rests on three layers. The first, Old Age Security (OAS), is federal: from age 65, based on years lived in Canada, even without ever working. The second, in Quebec, is the QPP/RRQ: mandatory, tied to your earnings — the subject of this guide. The third is your own savings: RRSP, TFSA, employer pension plan. Layer Managed by In short 1st — Old Age Security (OAS) Feder...

Finding your first job in Quebec: the SIN, a Quebec-style résumé, where to look, job platforms compared, free support programs and the interview.

To work legally in Quebec, you must first have your Social Insurance Number (SIN). Without this number, no employer can hire you. If you don't have it yet, see our . The Quebec résumé is different from those in other countries: Short: 1 to 2 pages maximum No photo, no age, no marital status, no nationality Includes only: name, contact info, education, professional experience, skills Tailored to...

Working in English in Quebec: which sectors and cities hire without French, what the law allows and strategies to get your first job.

French is the official language of work in Quebec. Bill 96 strengthened its use. But English language jobs exist, especially in Montreal. Some sectors regularly hire in English in Montreal and its western suburbs: Information technology (IT / tech) — startups, services firms, international product teams. Aerospace (Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney, CAE) — global English language supply chain. Video ...

Working for yourself or starting a small business? Here's when to register, the GST/QST threshold, and how to handle your self-employed taxes.

You're self employed if you offer your services on your own account, with no employer relationship: consulting, trades, creative work, delivery, digital platforms, a small service business. The difference from an employee is real: no one withholds tax or contributions from your income, you partly set how you work, and you carry the risk and the expenses. That freedom comes with responsibilities...