TL;DR
Quebec does not require a specific provincial permit to haul solid waste that is not hazardous. But this is not true for residual hazardous materials. Haulers of those must hold a Ministerial Authorization. It was formerly a permit under Section 70.9 of the Environment Quality Act. All waste must go to authorized facilities. Quebec also has aggressive policies to divert waste. These affect what materials operators may landfill.
What permits do I need to haul dumpsters in Quebec?
The Environment Quality Act (EQA) and its regulations govern waste management in Quebec.
Provincial requirements
The EQA does not require a specific licence to haul solid waste that is not hazardous.[1] Standard roll-off and dumpster rental businesses do not need a provincial permit to transport. This covers hauling construction debris, renovation waste, and commercial waste.
Haulers of residual hazardous materials must hold a Ministerial Authorization under Section 22 of the EQA. It was formerly issued under Section 70.9.[2] This authorization requires background checks and proof of insurance. It requires vehicle inspection compliance. All staff must hold a training certificate for hazardous materials. Authorizations are valid for at most five years. After that, they must be renewed.
Quebec's Regulation respecting hazardous materials sets detailed rules for the storage, handling, and transport of hazardous waste. These include requirements for manifests and for shipping documents.[2]
Municipal requirements
Montreal requires a permit from the borough for any container placed on public property. Containers on streets need reflective markings. They may not block traffic or snow removal.
Quebec City requires a temporary occupation permit. This applies to containers placed in the public right-of-way.
What are the environmental compliance requirements?
All waste must go to facilities authorized under the EQA.[1] Quebec's Residual Materials Management Policy sets targets for waste diversion. The targets are aggressive. The Regulation respecting the landfilling and incineration of residual materials also sets bans. It bans many materials from landfill. The bans include cardboard, metals, wood, and organic matter in many contexts.[3]
Important
Quebec requires operators to follow French-language rules for signs and documents. All documents, contracts, and container labels that face the public must be in French. The Charter of the French Language requires this.
What insurance do I need in Quebec?
| Coverage Type | Minimum Required |
|---|---|
| Commercial Auto Liability | $2,000,000 (Quebec standard) |
| General Liability | Required by most municipalities |
| Workers' Compensation | Required through CNESST for all employers |
Quebec's Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) runs workers' compensation. This coverage is mandatory for all employers.
Official References
| # | Resource | Agency | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Environment Quality Act, CQLR c. Q-2 | Government of Quebec | statute |
| 2 | Regulation respecting hazardous materials, CQLR c. Q-2, r. 32 | Government of Quebec | regulation |
| 3 | Regulation respecting the landfilling and incineration of residual materials, CQLR c. Q-2, r. 19 | Government of Quebec | regulation |