Statutes and regulations
The following are the laws, regulations and normative acts vested in the Minister and Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs. The full texts are available on the LégisQuébec website. The texts are updated monthly and have official status. To find out about changes that are not yet online, consult the Gazette officielle du Québec.
The regulations enacted under various laws are listed in numerical order.
- Regulation respecting activities in wetlands, bodies of water and sensitive areas
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting wood-burning appliances
- Regulation respecting oil-fired heating appliances
- Regulation respecting the application of section 32 of the Environment Quality Act
Replaced by the Regulation respecting the regulatory scheme applying to activities on the basis of their environmental impact. The provisions of Chapter III of the Regulation respecting the application of section 32 of the Environment Quality Act relating to 5-year waterworks and sewer plans remain however applicable for the remaining duration of authorizations granted on the basis of these plans.
- Regulation respecting private waterworks and sewer services
- Clean Air Regulation
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting the framework for authorization of certain projects to transfer water out of the St. Lawrence River Basin
- Regulation respecting pits and quarries
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Design code of a storm water management system eligible for a declaration of compliance
- Regulation respecting compensation for adverse effects on wetlands and bodies of water
- Regulation respecting compensation for municipal services provided to recover and reclaim residual materials
This regulations will be abrogated on December 31, 2024 per Chapter 5 of the 2021 Statutes of Québec (Bill 65).
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting biomedical waste
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting solid waste
Replaced by the Regulation respecting the landfilling and incineration of residual materials. However, it continues to apply to the extent provided for in sections 156 to 168 of this regulation.
- Regulation respecting the declaration of water withdrawals
- Regulation respecting mandatory reporting of certain emissions of contaminants into the atmosphere
- Determination of annual caps on greenhouse gas emission units relating to the cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances for the 2013-2020 period
Note that the government decree is available on the LégisQuébec website under the reference Q-2, r.15.2. - Determination of annual caps on greenhouse gas emission units relating to the cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances for the 2021-2030 period
Note that the government decree is available on the LégisQuébec website under the reference Q-2, r.15.3. - Regulation respecting the liquid effluents of petroleum refineries
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting the development, implementation and financial support of a deposit-refund system for certain containers
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles
- Regulation respecting the regulatory scheme applying to activities on the basis of their environmental impact
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting the burial of contaminated soils
- Regulation respecting the landfilling and incineration of residual materials
- Regulation respecting used tire storage
- Regulation respecting waste water disposal systems for isolated dwellings
Enforcement of this regulation is the responsibility of the municipalities. - Regulation respecting the environmental impact assessment and review of certain projects
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting the environmental impact assessment and review applicable to a part of the northeastern Québec region
- Regulation respecting the environmental and social impact assessment and review procedure applicable to the territory of James Bay and Northern Québec
- Agricultural Operations Regulation
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting the operation of industrial establishments
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting pulp and paper mills
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting the fees payable with respect to the environmental authorization scheme and other fees
- Regulation respecting financial guarantees payable for the operation of a residual organic materials reclamation facility
- Snow, road salt and abrasives management Regulation
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting halocarbons
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation to prohibit the sale of certain dishwashing detergents
- Regulation respecting hazardous materials
- Regulation respecting the temporary implementation of the amendments made by chapter 7 of the Statutes of 2021 in connection with the management of flood risks
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting environmental standards for heavy vehicles
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting certain bodies for the protection of the environment and social milieu of the territory of James Bay and Northern Québec
- Regulation respecting municipal wastewater treatment works
- Québec residual materials management policy
- Water Withdrawal and Protection Regulation
- Regulation respecting the procedure for selecting persons qualified for appointment as members of the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement
- Regulation respecting afforestation and reforestation projects eligible for the issuance of offset credits on privately-owned land
- Regulation respecting halocarbon destruction projects eligible for the issuance of offset credits
- Regulation respecting landfill methane reclamation and destruction projects eligible for the issuance of offset credits
- Regulation respecting the protection of waters from pleasure craft discharges
Enforcement of this regulation is the responsibility of the municipalities mentioned in the schedules of the regulation. - Land Protection and Rehabilitation Regulation
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting the quality of the atmosphere
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting the water quality of pools and other artificial reservoirs
- Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting the recovery and reclamation of products by enterprises
- Version administrative
(French)
- Version administrative
- Regulation respecting the recovery and reclamation of discarded paint containers and paints
This regulation has been abrogated, but continues to apply per Section 57 of the Regulation respecting the recovery and reclamation of products by enterprises.
- Regulation respecting the recovery and reclamation of used oils, oil or fluid containers and used filters
This regulation has been abrogated, but continues to apply per Section 57 of the Regulation respecting the recovery and reclamation of products by enterprises.
- Regulation respecting the charges payable for the use of water
- Regulation respecting the charges payable for the disposal of residual materials
- Regulation respecting the reuse of water containers with a capacity exceeding 8 litres
- Regulation respecting contaminated soil storage and contaminated soil transfer stations
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting a system of selective collection of certain residual materials
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances
- Regulation respecting the traceability of excavated contaminated soils
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting hot mix asphalt plants
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting the reclamation of residual materials
- Regulation respecting road vehicles used for the transportation of school children
Specifically, provisions added by Order-in-Council 1060-2021 - Regulation respecting certain transitional measures needed for the application of the Act to amend mainly the Environment Quality Act with respect to deposits and selective collection
- Regulation respecting the application of the Act to increase the number of zero-emission motor vehicles in Québec in order to reduce greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting the limit on the number of credits that may be used by a motor vehicle manufacturer and the confidentiality of some information
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
Act respecting certain measures enabling the enforcement of environmental and dam safety legislation
- Regulation respecting the fees payable with respect to the traceability of excavated contaminated soils
- Regulation respecting the rate to determine the costs of sampling, analysis, inspection or investigation included in the costs of civil or penal proceedings instituted for the purposes of the Environment Quality Act
Natural Heritage Conservation Act
Several protected areas have been established under this act and a specific regime of activities is applicable within their boundaries. Some of these protected areas have been established on a provisional basis and others on a permanent basis. In all instances, the applicable regime of activities is provided for by the act, by regulation and, depending on the individual case, by a conservation plan published in the Gazette officielle du Québec.
The ecological reserves are listed on the Ministère’s website. They are governed by regulations available on the LégisQuébec website, under the official references C-61.01, r.2 to C-61.01, r.71. The aquatic reserves
and biodiversity reserves
are likewise listed on the Ministère’s website. Some are governed by regulations available on the LégisQuébec website, under the official references C-61.01, r.72 to C-61.01, r.76. Others are governed instead by the conservation plans associated with them. These plans are also available on the Ministère’s website.
The document entitled “Régime d’activités dans les réserves de biodiversité et les réserves aquatiques” (Regulations Governing Activities in Biodiversity and Aquatic Reserves ) provides a summary of the regime of activities that is generally applicable on reserve lands.
Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife
The functions and responsibilities of the Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife provided for in this Act are entrusted to the Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, as is the responsibility for the application of sections 42 and 43 of this Act, in accordance with section 192 of this Act, with the exception of the responsibilities entrusted to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by Order in Council No. 691-2020 dated 30 June, 2020. (Order in Council No. 1645-2022 dated 20 October, 2022)
- Regulation respecting hunting activities
- Regulation respecting trapping activities and the fur trade
- Regulation respecting animals that must be declared
- Regulation respecting animals in captivity
- Regulation respecting the enforcement of legislative provisions by wildlife protection officers
- Regulation respecting aquaculture and the sale of fish
- Regulation respecting the Québec Aquarium
- Regulation respecting the cases in which and the conditions under which to attract or feed an animal or class of animals
- Regulation respecting the classes of aquaculture licences
- Regulation respecting hunting
- Ministerial Order respecting the delegation of certain powers of the Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife
- Decision respecting furbearer management units
- By-law respecting applications for financial assistance submitted to the Fondation de la faune du Québec
- Regulation respecting the disposal of seized or confiscated property
- Regulation respecting the fees to be paid under section 106.6 of the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife
- Regulation respecting wildlife habitats
- Regulation respecting the payment of indemnities to holders of hunting or trapping licences and the payment of third party damages
- Regulation respecting lands in the domain of the State delimited for development of wildlife resources
- Regulation respecting licences to keep animals in captivity
- Regulation respecting fishing licences
- Regulation respecting trapping and the fur trade
- Regulation respecting the possession and sale of an animal
- Regulation respecting outfitters
- Tracking Dog Handler Pilot Project
- Regulation respecting beaver reserves
- Regulation respecting the scale of fees and duties related to the development of wildlife
- Regulation respecting the content of an outfitter’s licence
- Regulation respecting fishing and hunting areas
- Regulation respecting wildlife sanctuaries
- Ministerial Order concerning the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries
- Regulation respecting wildfowl hunting controlled zones
- Regulation respecting hunting and fishing controlled zones
- Regulation respecting salmon fishing controlled zones
Wildlife preserves
- Ministerial Order respecting the establishment of the Battures-de-Saint-Fulgence Wildlife Preserve
- Regulation respecting the Battures-de-Saint-Fulgence Wildlife Preserve
- Ministerial Order respecting the establishment of the Deux-Montagnes Wildlife Preserve
- Regulation respecting the Deux-Montagnes Wildlife Preserve
- Order in Council respecting the establishment of the Grande-Île Wildlife Preserve
- Regulation respecting the Grande-Île Wildlife Preserve
- Ministerial Order respecting the establishment of the Île-Laval Wildlife Preserve
- Regulation respecting the Île-Laval Wildlife Preserve
- Ministerial Order respecting the establishment of the Îlet-aux-Alouettes Wildlife Preserve
- Regulation respecting the Îlet-aux-Alouettes Wildlife Preserve
- Ministerial Order respecting the establishment of the Pierre-Étienne-Fortin Wildlife Preserve
- Regulation respecting the Pierre-Étienne-Fortin Wildlife Preserve
- Ministerial Order respecting the establishment of the Pointe-de-l’Est Wildlife Preserve
- Regulation respecting the Pointe-de-l’Est Wildlife Preserve
- Ministerial Order respecting the establishment of the Pointe-du-Lac Wildlife Preserve
- Regulation respecting the Pointe-du-Lac Wildlife Preserve
- Ministerial Order respecting the establishment of the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Wildlife Preserve
- Regulation respecting the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Wildlife Preserve
Controlled harvesting zones (in French only)
- Order in Council respecting certain controlled zones for the development, harvesting or conservation of wildlife
- Order in Council respecting certain controlled zones for the development, harvesting or conservation of Atlantic salmon
- Regulation respecting the Anse-Saint-Jean Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the des Anses Controlled Zone
- Ministeriel Order respecting the Baillargeon Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order concerning the Bas-Saint-Laurent Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Batiscan-Neilson Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Borgia Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the Buteux–Bas-Saguenay Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Cap-Chat Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Casault Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Chapais Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Chauvin Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Croche Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the D’Iberville Controlled Zone
Regulation respecting the Forestville Controlled Zone Order in Council respecting the Frémont Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Gros-Brochet Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the Jaro Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Kiskissink Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Labrieville Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order concerning the Lac-Brébeuf Controlled Zone
(in French only)
- Regulation respecting the Lac-de-la-Boiteuse Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the Lavigne Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Lesueur Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Lièvre Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the Louise-Gosford Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Maganasipi Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Martin-Valin Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting des Martres Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Matimek Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Menokeosawin Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the Nordique Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the des Nymphes Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the Oie-Blanche-de-Montmagny Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the Onatchiway Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Owen Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Pabok Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the des Passes Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Petawaga Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Pontiac Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Rivière-à-Mars Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Rivière-aux-Rats Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Rivière-Blanche Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Rivière-Cap-Chat Controlled Zone, the Rivière-Matane Controlled Zone, the Rivière-Madeleine Controlled Zone and the Petite-Rivière-Cascapédia Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the Rivière-des-Escoumins Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the Rivière-Jacques-Cartier Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Rivière-Mitis Controlled Zone and the Rivière-Rimouski Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Rivière-Nouvelle Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order concerning the Rivière-Petit-Saguenay Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order concerning the Rivière-Saint-Jean-du-Saguenay Controlled Zone
(in French only)
- Regulation respecting the Saint-Patrice Controlled Zone
- Ministerial Order respecting the Saint-Romain Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Tawachiche Controlled Zone
- Regulation respecting the Varin Controlled Zone
- Order in Council respecting the Wessonneau Controlled Zone
There are also some regulations, orders in council and ministerial orders that establish hunting reserves and hunting and fishing reserves, wildlife reserves.
Sustainable Development Act
For the implementation of sustainable development within the Administration, consult the Government Sustainable Development Strategy.
Act respecting hunting and fishing rights in the James Bay and New Québec territories
- Regulation to renew the right of first refusal to establish and operate outfitting facilities in Category III lands
- Administrative procedural rules respecting applications for outfitting facilities in the James Bay and New Québec territories
An Act respecting threatened or vulnerable species
- Regulation respecting the disposal of things seized
- Regulation respecting threatened or vulnerable wildlife species and their habitats
- Regulation respecting threatened or vulnerable plant species and their habitat
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- List of plant and wildlife species which are likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable
An Act respecting compensation measures for the carrying out of projects affecting wetlands or bodies of water
Section 2 of this act is no longer in force as of June 16, 2017, pursuant to section 5 of this act as amended by chapter 6 of the Statutes of Québec 2017.
Act respecting the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune
With respect to energy transition, innovation and efficiency, the functions and responsibilities of the Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife provided for in this Act are entrusted to the Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, with the exception of section 17.1.2 of this Act. (Order in Council No. 1645-2022 dated 20 October, 2022)
With respect to wildlife, the functions and responsibilities of the Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife provided for in this Act are entrusted to the Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks. (Order in Council No. 1645-2022 dated 20 October, 2022)
An Act respecting the Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs
- Terms and conditions for the signing of certain documents of the Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs
- Instrument of delegation pursuant to section 9.1 of the Act respecting the Ministère du développement durable, de l’environnement et des parcs (PDF 1.70 Mb) (French)
Act respecting Mauricie Park and its surroundings
Act respecting Forillon Park and its surroundings
Act respecting the Saguenay — St. Lawrence Marine Park
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national d’Aiguebelle
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national d’Anticosti
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national du Bic
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national de Frontenac
- Regulation respecting the Parc national de la Gaspésie
- Regulation respecting the Parc national des Grands-Jardins
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville
- Regulation respecting the Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national Kuururjuaq
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national de Miguasha
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national du Mont-Mégantic
- Regulation respecting the Parc national du Mont-Orford
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national du Mont-Saint-Bruno
- Regulation respecting the Parc national du Mont-Tremblant
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national des Monts-Valin
- Règlement sur l’établissement du parc national d’Oka
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national d’Opémican
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national des Pingualuit
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national de Plaisance
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national de la Pointe-Taillon
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national du Saguenay
- Regulation respecting the establishment of parc national Tursujuq
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national Ulittaniujalik
- Regulation respecting the establishment of Parc national de la Yamaska
- Parks Regulation
- Pesticides Management Code
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
- Regulation respecting permits and certificates for the sale and use of pesticides
- Administrative version
(French)
- Administrative version
An Act respecting the artificial inducement of rain
Watercourses Act
Except for Section 3 and Division VIII, which are currently under the responsibility of the MERN
Dam Safety Act
Paragraph 4 of section 19 is not in force.
An Act respecting the Société québécoise de récupération et de recyclage
An Act respecting the sale and distribution of beer and soft drinks in non-returnable containers
This act will be revoked at a fixed date by a government order in council in accordance with sections 13 and 23 of the chapter 5 of the Statutes of Québec.
The Cree Villages and the Naskapi Village Act
(section 21 only)
An Act respecting the acceleration of certain infrastructure projects
Specifically the following sections: 12 to 14, 20 to 57, 68 to 70, 72, 79 to 83.
An Act to impose restrictions on pig farming
This act is no longer in force as of June 16, 2002, except with regard to processing applications that were pending on June 15, 2002, for certificates of authorization for projects subject to this act.
An Act concerning Parc national du Mont-Orford
Modified by section 309 of the Act respecting mainly the implementation of certain provisions of the Budget Speech of 17 March 2011 and the enactment of the Act to establish the Northern Plan Fund
An Act respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water (in French only)
An Act to amend the Environment Quality Act to modernize the environmental authorization scheme and to amend other legislative provisions, in particular to reform the governance of the Green Fund
The new section 118.5 of the Environment Quality Act , replaced by section 188 of chapter 4 of the statues of 2017
, is not in force and will only come into force on the date set by government decree. Until then, sections 297 and 298 of chapter 4 of the statutes of 2017 specify the terms and conditions since March 23, 2017 for having access to documents and information contained in the future register.
Minister of Environment and the Fight against Climate Change and Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (French)
Order-in-Council appointing the new minister and amending the name of the Ministère. This Order-in-Council replaces Order-in-Council 1-2019 of January 1st, 2019.
Last update: September 29, 2023