Quebec’s Idiosyncrasies Increase Complexity of Canadian Payroll

The unique characteristic of Quebec payroll is one of the biggest challenges in delivering payroll in Canada, an executive with Canada’s national payroll association said.

Canada’s 13 jurisdictions comprise 10 provinces and three territories, each of which presents its own unique set of challenges for payroll professionals due to differing labor laws and withholding requirements. Among those 13 jurisdictions, the greatest difference in withholding and pay requirements comes from Quebec’s idiosyncrasies. “Quebec is Canada’s California,” said Steven Van Alstine, vice president of professional standards and education at the National Payroll Institute.

“Having Quebec payroll is like having two payrolls. You ...