Minimum working age · Quebec
Minimum working age in Quebec.
The youngest age a person can work in Quebec and what changes at each age. Enter an age to see the rule that applies.
Quebec: the minimum legal working age is 14; under 14 only jobs provided for by law are allowed, with a parent’s or guardian’s written consent.
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Quebec: minimum working age rules in detail
| Point | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Minimum legal working age | 14 |
| Under 14 | Only jobs provided for by law, with written parental consent kept for 3 years |
| Farming business | The child must be at least 12 |
| Under 18 | No work that exceeds abilities or compromises education, health or development |
Notes on this rule
The Labour Standards Act (ss. 84.2 to 84.7) adds school-attendance and schedule rules for young workers that the pages read here do not spell out.
How to use this page
Enter an age to see the rule for that age. The bands run from the youngest age to adult, so you can step through each one to see what changes: permits, consent, hours of work and prohibited jobs.
Sources, read directly 19 October 2026: CNESST - Young people under 14 years of age; CNESST - Workers 14 years of age or over.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to work in Quebec?
Quebec: the minimum legal working age is 14; under 14 only jobs provided for by law are allowed, with a parent’s or guardian’s written consent.
What is the general minimum in Quebec?
The general position is: 14. Younger workers are covered by the permit, consent, hour and job limits listed above.
Does a family business have different rules?
Quebec allows a child under 14 to work in a family enterprise only if the child is the employer’s child or the child of a director, partner or spouse, under adult supervision at all times.
Is this legal advice?
No. Youth-employment rules also depend on school-attendance law, occupational health and safety rules and the specific job. This page summarises the employment standards rules the sources state; check the source or the employment standards office before hiring or starting work under the minimum age.
Where does this Quebec information come from?
Every figure on this page was read on 19 October 2026 from: CNESST - Young people under 14 years of age; CNESST - Workers 14 years of age or over. The links are listed under the rules table above. If a source changes, this page is regenerated from one data file and the verified date is updated.
Reference only — not legal advice
This page states the statutory minimum working age rules from the published employment-standards legislation or the government’s own guide, read on 19 October 2026. It is not legal advice, does not model a collective agreement or an individual contract, and rules change. For a binding answer, contact the employment standards office named in the source or a lawyer.