Lettre de démission (Québec)

A Quebec resignation letter (lettre de démission) is a formal written document through which an employee (employé) notifies their employer (employeur) of their intention to voluntarily terminate their employment relationship. Governed by the Code civil du Québec (CCQ arts. 2091-2097) and the Loi sur les normes du travail (LNT), this letter serves as official documentation of the employee’s decision to resign and provides the required reasonable notice period. Under Quebec civil law, the employment contract is considered a contract of personal service (contrat de travail) subject to specific rules regarding termination. Article 2091 CCQ establishes that either party to a contract of indeterminate duration may terminate it by giving reasonable notice to the other party. The resignation letter must clearly identify the employee, their position, the date of the letter, the intended last day of work, and the notice period being provided. Under Bill 96 (Charter of the French Language), this document should be drafted in French for workplace communications in Quebec.

A Quebec resignation letter is needed whenever an employee decides to voluntarily leave their position with a Quebec employer. This includes situations where the employee has found new employment, is relocating, is retiring, or has decided to leave for personal reasons. The letter is essential to document the formal notice of resignation and establish the effective date of the last day of work. It is needed to comply with the reasonable notice requirement under CCQ art. 2091, which protects the employer from sudden departure and gives them time to find a replacement or redistribute responsibilities. The letter is also important for the employee’s records, as it documents their compliance with contractual and legal obligations. It is particularly important when the employee has a fixed-term contract that is being terminated early, when there are non-competition or non-solicitation obligations that survive termination, or when the employee wants to maintain a professional relationship with the employer for future references.

Key elements of a Quebec resignation letter include the date of the letter, which establishes when formal notice was given. The employee’s complete identification including their full legal name, position or title, and department must be stated. The employer’s identification including the company name and the name of the immediate supervisor or HR manager is essential. The clear statement of resignation should be unambiguous. The effective date of resignation (last day of work) must be specified, along with the notice period being provided. The notice period should be reasonable under CCQ art. 2091, typically two weeks for most positions but potentially longer for senior or specialized roles. The letter may optionally include the reason for departure, though this is not legally required. Professional transition commitments demonstrate good faith (art. 1375 CCQ) and may include offers to train a replacement, complete pending projects, or prepare handover documentation. Expression of gratitude for the employment experience is customary. The letter should be signed and dated, with a copy retained by the employee.