In May 2011, the Government of Québec ("Government") announced the Plan Nord, a sustainable development project that will develop the northern part of the Province of Québec's territory. The Plan Nord will be carried out over a period of 25 years and will lead to over $80 billion in investments. This initiative is expected to create 20,000 jobs a year for 25 years. The Plan Nord covers 1.2 million square kilometres of Québec's territory north of the 49th parallel and north of the St. Lawrence River and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The area has enormous hydroelectricity potential, inestimable mineral resources, and is likely to face a growing tourist industry.

The Government is inviting world-class businesses and foreign corporations to invest in developing Northern Québec. In order to respond to the contemplated northern business model, transportation, housing, energy and telecommunications infrastructure will need to be created. Resource accessibility is a challenge that will be overcome when the main actors start developing roads, hospitals and housing capacities.

A legal framework is needed in order to structure working conditions in Northern Québec. As such, it seems likely that the Government will pass a decree for the Plan Nord geographic region that will determine the minimum work conditions that any employer must grant to their employees, whether or not they are unionized. According to the Act respecting collective agreement decrees, the Government may order that a collective agreement respecting any trade, industry, commerce or occupation shall bind all the employees and professional employers for the Plan Nord area. The effects of such decree will impact wage rates, the number of hours of the regular workweek, statutory general paid holidays, annual paid leave, leave for family events, and retirement and insurance plans. Employers who contravene to the Act respecting collective agreement decrees may be guilty of an offence and would be liable for fines up to $3,000. Employees who believe that they have been unfairly dismissed, suspended or transferred may assert their rights before the Administrative Labour Tribunal established by the Code. Consequently, the decree will greatly impact working conditions surrounding the Plan Nord.

Our Labour and Employment Group have the expertise to guide international businesses through the legal challenges faced during the implementation of the Plan Nord. With experience in both labour and employment laws, the Group already works with a wide range of businesses and industries and offer a hands-on approach in carrying out their legal services. BLG is experienced in all aspects of labour and employment law, including the specific issues that are to be addressed in the context of such a project. BLG is serious about ensuring your success with the Plan Nord.

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