Employment

(Collectif Bienvenue, 2023d; Emploi et Développement social Canada, 2022; IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada , 2023o; MIFIMinistère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (du Québec) , 2023; Service Canada, 2017; TCRITable de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes , 2021)

To work, you need a SINSocial insurance number , which is a confidential nine-digit number. Getting a SINSocial insurance number is free and mandatory to work. Be careful who you share your SINSocial insurance number with.

Your employer will ask for your SINSocial insurance number when you are hired.

To get your SINSocial insurance number :

You will need to provide these documents:

• Your work permit
• Your Refugee Protection Claimant Document
• Your permanent resident card or confirmation of permanent residency
• A piece of ID (RAMQRégie de l’assurance maladie du Québec card or your passport), if you have one.

If you submit a document that is not in French or English, it will need to be translated and certified. See Certified translations in the Read This Information First section.

(Cleveland, Hanley, Salamanca Cardona, et al., 2021; Collectif Bienvenue, 2023d; Hanley, 2020; TCRITable de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes , 2021; Ville de Sherbrooke, 2023h)

(AXTRA, s. d.; Gouvernement du Québec, 2023aa; MIFIMinistère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (du Québec) , 2023; Réseau des carrefours jeunesse-emploi, 2023)

(Comité sectoriel de main-d’oeuvre en tourisme, 2023; Gouvernement du Québec, 2023t)

There are various other ways to apply for a job. The more standard approach presented here is not necessarily suitable for every situation.

1. Prepare your CVCurriculum vitae and include your contact information and work experience.
2. Send your CVCurriculum vitae to the employers you are interested in. 

• You can also drop off your CVCurriculum vitae in person and ask to speak with the manager.
• You may have to fill out a form provided by the employer rather than submitting your CVCurriculum vitae . 
• For jobs that require a certain level of education, also send a cover letter (in which you explain why you should be hired).

3. If the company is interested in your application, you will have one or two interviews, sometimes over the phone first. 

• During the interview, you will be asked questions by the person interviewing you. This is to check that you have the skills required for the job. 
• It is important to arrive at least 15 minutes before the interview time and to dress professionally. 
• If you are selected after the interviews, you got the job! It may take several days or weeks before you receive a reply. Please note that some companies only contact selected candidates. You can ask the interviewer about estimated wait times and follow up with them if needed.
• You may then have to sign a contract or send proof of your education.

(CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail , s. d.-c; Meza, 2020)

Beware of fraudulent temporary placement agencies, which disappear overnight without paying their employees. If possible, research the agency and your employer online and check the status of the temporary placement agency in the CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail registry. Be cautious if there is no office with a fixed address.

(JuriGo.ca, s. d.)

In Québec, unreported employment income (also known as “working under the table”) is illegal. If you are working and do not have a work permit yet, this is unreported employment income. Even with a work permit, some employers may try to pay you under the table.

If the government finds that you are working under the table while on social assistance, you will have to repay the money you received from the government and possibly pay a fine.

(Revenu Québec, s. d.-b)

You may be paid in cash, for example if you do house cleaning or renovation work. If so, you must declare this income in your annual tax return like any other kind of income. Not declaring this income is illegal.

(Gouvernement du Québec, 2023k; MIFIMinistère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (du Québec) , 2023)

Getting your education and work experience recognized when you arrive in Québec can be very helpful for your job search. 

Many qualification and skill recognition services are not available to refugee claimants. You can ask Qualifications Québec for advice and assistance with getting your prior learning and skills recognized.

You also have access to comparative evaluation by the MIFIMinistère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (du Québec) .

Three options to have your qualifications and professional skills recognized:

(Qualifications Québec, 2020a)

If you have skills in a field but don’t have a Québec diploma, the recognition of prior learning and acquired competencies could help you put them to good use. An example is if you have worked as a secretary for several years, but don’t have a foreign or Québec diploma. 

Contact Qualifications Québec, which can provide you with free information and support.

You could have your skills assessed and complete courses for some of the knowledge you lack. That way, you will be able to earn a Québec diploma faster. You may need to do a training course to fully master everything you need for a diploma.

Skills recognition is an individualized process that can take several months. Recognition may not apply to your area of training or your profile.

(Gouvernement du Québec, 2023a)

The MIFIMinistère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (du Québec) ’s comparative evaluation compares programs of study from the Québec system and the system of the country where you studied. This evaluation may be requested in certain contexts, for example by an employer or regulatory body.

A comparative evaluation does not lead to a diploma or the equivalent of a diploma.

You will need to fill out a form and attach copies of your school documents and identity documents as well as translations, if necessary. There is a cost to apply and there may be specific requirements for the country where you studied.

To apply for a comparative evaluation, see the instructions on the Government of Québec website:

Submitting your comparative evaluation application | Government of Québec

(Cleveland, Hanley, Salamanca Cardona, et al., 2021; CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail , 2021a; Collectif Bienvenue, 2023d; Éducaloi, 2023c; Hanley, 2020; MIFIMinistère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (du Québec) , 2023; Services juridiques de Pointe-Saint-Charles et Petite-Bourgogne, 2017)

In Québec, people who work have rights that protect them from abuse and discrimination, regardless of their immigration status. Knowing and asserting your rights will not have a negative impact on your immigration status, no matter what your employer says. 

The Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail ) protects your rights under the Act Respecting Labour Standards. The Immigrant Workers Centre (IWC-CTTIImmigrant Workers Centre ) can also help you assert your rights. For help from a lawyer, see Access to a lawyer and other legal resources in the Read This Information First section. 

Record the start and end dates of all your jobs, as well as your daily start times, end times and breaks at your job. If you experience issues at work such as an injury, preventive withdrawal or discrimination, it is important to keep a paper trail.

(CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail , s. d.-b, 2021b, 2023)

Some aspects of the Act Respecting Labour Standards:

• Minimum wage without tips: $15.25/hour (as of May 1, 2023)
• Annual paid vacation entitlement (minimum two weeks)
• Overtime premium
• Maximum number of work hours: 14 hours/day or 50 hours/week AND at least 32 hours of consecutive rest hours per week
• Measures governing termination, including employment insurance (unemployment)
• Compensation for a work-related injury or illness
• Sex/gender equality
• Right to non-discrimination and non-harassment (physical, psychological and sexual).

Other work-related rights you may be entitled to:

• Parental leave when you have a new child (QPIPQuébec Parental Insurance Plan )
• Paid sick leave
• Depending on your employment conditions, you may have more rights than those provided for in the Act Respecting Labour Standards.

• You have the right to be absent from work for up to six months without pay if you are ill, even if the illness is not work-related. Your employer may ask you for a doctor’s note. 
• You are entitled to two employer-paid sick days 
  • If you have been working at the same place for three months

• You can apply for employment insurance
  • If you are ill for more than two weeks
  • If you have worked a minimum number of hours (generally between 420 and 700 hours)

• Your employer does not have the right to fire you because you are sick.

• You can take up to one year of parental leave after the birth of your child. 
• You may receive parental insurance through the QPIPQuébec Parental Insurance Plan as income during your parental leave: What is the Québec Parental Insurance Plan? 
• Spouses are also entitled to take leave. Leave can be taken alternately or with your spouse.
• If your workplace is dangerous for pregnancy, the CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail may put you on preventive withdrawal. You will then receive 90% of your income. 
• If your pregnancy puts your own health at risk, you may be able to claim employment insurance sickness benefits until your child is born.
• Your employer does not have the right to fire you because you are pregnant, are taking parental leave or are going on preventive withdrawal.

• You have the right to refuse overtime if you need to provide care to a family member, such as picking up your children from daycare. 
• You are entitled to up to 10 leaves per year for family reasons, for example to take your child to the doctor. 
• Your employer has no right to fire you for meeting your family responsibilities.

(Éducaloi, 2023a)

Your employer is responsible for your health and safety at work. This includes providing you with the right equipment, a safe working environment, etc.

If you get injured or sick, determine whether your work caused the injury or illness. For example:

• Are you sick because you breathe in toxic products at work? 
• Are you injured from moving heavy objects at work?
• Are you experiencing depression due to psychological ill-treatment at work?

If your health problem is work-related: 

• Contact the CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail and/or IWC-CTTIImmigrant Workers Centre  
• Fill out a Worker’s Claim: Worker’s claim | Commission des normes de l’équité de la santé et de la sécurité du travail – CNESST

Your employer may have to pay your salary for the first 14 days of the injury or illness for which you are unable to work. After 14 days, the CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail may pay you an income replacement indemnity.

(Emploi et Développement social Canada, 2023a)

If you have worked for the same company for three months or more, they must notify you in writing if they want to terminate your employment:

• One week in advance if you have worked there for less than one year
• Two weeks in advance if you have worked there for more than one year

In all cases, your employer must:

• Pay you for all the hours you have worked and any amounts owed to you, including vacation pay (4% or 6%). To calculate the amount you are entitled to: Annual vacation | Commission des normes, de l’équité de la santé et de la sécurité du travail- CNESST 

If your employer does not respect these termination conditions, contact the CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail and/or IWC-CTTIImmigrant Workers Centre .

In addition, an employer does not have the right to fire you for a discriminatory reason or because you are asking for your rights to be respected. If this happens to you, you can ask the CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail or the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse for help (see the Rights and Protections section).

You need to have worked a certain number of reported hours (often between 420 and 700 hours) to be entitled to employment insurance after your employment ends. You must also meet other conditions: EI regular benefits – Canada.ca

To apply: EI regular benefits – Apply – Canada.ca

Resources to help you apply for employment insurance:

(CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail , s. d.-d)

The CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail is responsible for ensuring that the Act Respecting Labour Standards is applied, notably by carrying out inspections. If necessary, the CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail can generally represent you free of charge before the Tribunal administratif du travail, regardless of your immigration status. Filing a complaint will have no impact on your immigration status.

If your employer does not comply with labour standards, you can file a complaint with the CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail . 

Note that complaints must be made as soon as possible. The deadline to file a complaint after an incident varies. To find out more, see How to file a complaint | Commission des normes de l’équité de la santé et de la sécurité du travail – CNESST

For more information about how to make a complaint after a work-related accident: Situations where there are grounds for filing a complaint | Commission des normes, de l’équité de la santé et de la sécurité du travail- CNESST

(CNESSTCommission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail , s. d.-a; Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, 2015)

Every time your pay is deposited into your account, you will receive a piece of paper called a “pay stub.” It contains information about: 

• The pay period 
• Your salary (net and gross) 
• The number of hours worked and paid, including overtime, if any 
• What was deducted from your salary for taxes and other deductions (your union dues, for example, if you are unionized)

If you have questions about the content of your pay stub or are unsure about the deductions shown, ask your employer for clarification.

For more information about pay stubs: Deductions | Commission des normes, de l’équité de la santé et de la sécurité du travail- CNESST

For additional information and exercises on many aspects of this Carnets de route section, see chapter “Employment”, pages 123 to 140, in the Canadian Orientation Abroad “Participant’s Workbook”.

You can also listen to the audio guide “O Canada – Conversations Dialogue” and download the application “O Canada”.