Unvaccinated employees can't be fired in Quebec: Labour Minister

As Quebec prepares to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine passport by the fall, employees across the province can’t be fired or dismissed for being unvaccinated against the coronavirus.

On Friday, Quebec’s Labour Minister Jean Boulet said an employee’s vaccination status could not be cause for dismissal from employment.

Last week, the province’s Health Minister Christian Dubé announced that as of September 1, a vaccine passport could be used across Quebec to access non-essential services, if justified, based on outbreaks or the transmission of the virus.

Dubé said electronic documentation for non-essential services like gyms, sports, bars, restaurants, festivals, performances, and events could be used if an outbreak occurs.

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On Friday, Boulet said an individual’s vaccination status would not be a factor when an employer is deciding to hire someone or as a cause for termination.

Specifically, the minister said not getting vaccinated cannot be a “factor of discrimination in hiring.” In French, he said, “it cannot constitute a valid reason for dismissal.”

Il est important de préciser que le statut vaccinal ne peut être un facteur de discrimination à l’embauche. De plus, il ne peut constituer une raison valable de congédiement. J’invite tout de même tous les travailleurs québécois à aller se faire vacciner! #PasseportVaccinal

— Jean Boulet (@JeanBoulet10) July 8, 2021

Boulet said he still encourages Quebecers to get vaccinated against COVID-19.