The Government of Québec has recently published, for consultation, a draft regulation on conditions for lodging workers. Despite its technical nature, this draft, if adopted as is, will significantly reshape the obligations imposed on employers in this regard.
These regulations will replace the Regulation respecting sanitary conditions in industrial or other camps (RSCIOC), which has been in force for several decades and reflected an industrial context from the 1950s to the 1980s, when lodging realities were more limited.
The draft regulation published in January 2026 announces a major modernization. Unlike the RSCIOC regime, which mainly applies to traditional industrial camps, the draft proposes a much broader scope, covering any situation where an employer provides lodging or food services to workers, including in the agricultural, agri-food, forestry, mining, and construction sectors, and in any other environment where lodging is provided as part of work arrangements. This would therefore no longer be limited to regulating camps in remote areas but would cover all situations where an employer provides lodging for workers, which is a major change.
Although many of the requirements are likely already being met by employers, given the specific nature of the new requirements, some employers may need to invest in upgrading the infrastructure of their lodging premises to ensure compliance.
Below are some examples of the changes introduced by the draft regulation.
Sanitation requirements
Whereas the RSCIOC mainly imposes general sanitary standards, the draft sets out specific criteria for temperature, humidity, ventilation, lighting, drinking water, and maintenance. For example, employers would be required to maintain temperatures between 20°C and 26°C, ensure relative humidity between 30% and 60%, and guarantee strict control of water quality when the water comes from a system not covered by current drinking water regulations.
Bedroom requirements
Bedrooms are another area where the draft's regulations go well beyond those of the regulations they replace. While the RSCIOC prohibits bunk beds in dormitories and requires clean, disinfected single beds, it does not set a minimum floor space, explicitly limit the number of workers per room, or specify the requirement for individual lockable furniture. The draft, on the other hand, systematically prohibits bunk beds in all types of accommodation, would impose a maximum of two workers per room, would provide for a minimum area of 6.5 m² for a single room and 9 m² for a double room, and would require windows that meet criteria for opening and light.
Sanitary facilities requirements
The proposed standards for sanitary facilities are also stricter. The RSCIOC imposes certain standards (e.g., "one basin per five men" in summer tents or facilities designed to prevent water contamination) but does not provide for a general ratio of toilets, sinks, and showers in all situations. The draft, on the other hand, establishes a ratio of one toilet, one sink, and one shower for every five workers, requires that these facilities be accessible without going outside at night, and imposes specific standards on hot water temperature, shower stall configuration, and site safety.
Common areas requirements
The draft regulation also addresses common areas, kitchens, and laundry rooms, setting out detailed requirements that did not exist in this form in the RSCIOC. For example, the draft requires one four-burner stove, one range hood, one refrigerator with a capacity of at least 510 liters, and one additional cooking appliance for every five workers, as well as a rest area and a ventilated dining room that meets specific dimensional requirements.
Safety requirements
In terms of safety, the draft regulation introduces modern requirements, such as the mandatory installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in each room, Internet access for workers, and an emergency evacuation plan. The RSCIOC does not contain any equivalent requirements, apart from the general obligation to keep camps clean, heated, and decently furnished, and to provide first aid kits. The modernization introduced by the draft reflects a concern for risk management that is much closer to current standards.
Finally, the bill provides for transitional provisions ranging from three to eight years depending on the age of the facilities, reflecting the scale of the adjustments that would be required if the regulations were to be adopted. In parallel, specific rules would apply to industrial camps and accommodation used in the agricultural and agri-food sectors, explicitly recognizing realities that the old regulations only covered indirectly.
That said, several of the obligations imposed by the draft would also be required under the general obligation's incumbent on employers in terms of occupational health and safety.
Sector-specific requirements
The draft regulation also introduces requirements specific to the agricultural and mining sectors, which complement the general rules applicable to all employers. For example, in agriculture and agri-food, premises must be located on dry, well-drained land, at a minimum distance from sources of nuisance or danger, and dining rooms used by workers must be cleaned after each meal, with facilities provided for work clothes. In the mining sector and other industrial camps, the regulations will require the provision of a complete camp when work is carried out in remote locations, set specific requirements for the safe location of facilities, and allow the use of removable shelters during the exploration phase, subject to strict insulation, ventilation, and fire safety criteria.
Employer considerations
The coming into force of this new draft regulation will therefore impose new constraints on employers, and significant costs are to be expected, notably in the year of implementation, but also in subsequent years. Employers will need to ensure compliance with this draft regulation within three to eight years following its coming into force, depending on the timing of the construction or renovation of the lodging facilities, in accordance with the transitional provisions.
The draft regulation, after the expiry of the 45-day comment period that began on January 14, 2026, may be amended to reflect certain comments received. Once finalized, the definitive draft regulation will come into force on a date eventually set by the government.
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