On March 24, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the
Québec government adopted order in council 223-2020 (the
"Order"), ordering the suspension of all workplace
activities in Québec, except for those providing priority
services. This suspension of activity is to remain in effect until
April 13, 2020 and could be extended.
Priority services that can be maintained are specified in the
schedule of the Order, which has been updated since being
adopted.1 Businesses providing non-priority services,
except for stores, may maintain the minimum operations required to
ensure the resumption of their activities.
Following the announcement and the coming into force of the
Order, a number of Québec businesses had to determine
whether their activities could be maintained. This determination
can lead to serious consequences and this bulletin seeks to raise
awareness among business owners regarding the liability they may
incur, such as:
