Coronavirus in Quebec: who to call, where to go and where not to go

This page is updated on an ongoing basis.

As the provincial and municipal governments escalate measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, the outbreak caused by novel coronavirus, more and more Quebecers are affected.

Here is a list of resources and help made available during the crisis.

What’s open, what’s closed

Closed

• All companies and businesses that are not considered to be essential services are ordered to close until April 13. The government of Quebec government has published a list of businesses it considers essential.
• Shopping centres and restaurant dining rooms
• Neighbourhood SPVM police stations. Dial 911 in the case of an emergency. Contact your local station by dialing 514 280-01__ followed by the number of the station or online via the SPVM website. Residents can also file a police report online
• Dog parks
• Schools and universities
• Arenas
• National parks
• Playgrounds in all Montreal boroughs
• Aquariums
• Bars and clubs
• Libraries
• Sugar shacks and buffet-style restaurants
• Gyms and sports facilities, soccer venues, outdoor centres
• Tasting counters in grocery stores
• Recreational centres such a ski stations, amusement parks, trampoline centres
• Museums, zoos
• Pools, spas and saunas
• Theatres, cinemas, arcades and entertainment venues
• Municipal courts customer service counters. The digital services remain accessible.
• Access Montreal offices. Online and phone services will be maintained. Many permits can already be processed online. Call 311 for questions
• Montreal city council will be held in closed sessions. Questions from the public will be taken online. The city will publish instructions online
• Public consultations are suspended until further notice
• The tax desk at the city of Laval
• Longueuil municipal buildings (essential services are maintained), playgrounds, dog parks, sports facilities. A full list can be found on the city’s website.
• Dorval playground areas and modules
• Beaconsfield’s recreation centre and library
• The Court of Kahnawake. Deadline to pay fines and traffic tickets has been extended to September 1, 2020. If you want to pay traffic tickets or fines before the extended deadline, you can do so by Visa (over the telephone), E-transfer, cheque or money order, payable to the Court of Kahnawà:ke, mailed to P.O. Box 1239, J0L 1B0. The court is still taking phone calls and is expected to tentatively reopen on May 5.
• All Kahnawake stores are closed to non-community members
• Pointe-Claire municipal buildings, play structures, outdoor training areas and sports fields. Public event have been postponed until at least May 1. The full list of closures is on the city’s website.
• READ MORE: Montreal restaurants adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions

Open

The following entities are operating but some have adjusted hours of service or closed certain branches as well as put in place specific measures to protect you and their employees from the virus. Check their websites for details.

Grocery stores

SAQ

Pharmacies

SQDC

Public transit

Delivery services

SAAQ

Food banks

Banks

Montreal public markets are operating from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shelters

Restaurants but only for takeout and delivery services

Beaconsfield public works but only open by appointment.

READ MORE: Quebec warns no emergency shelters for spring flooding victims due to COVID-19

Questions about coronavirus? Useful numbers

• 811: call only if you have traveled and are showing symptoms or if you’ve been in contact with someone who has the virus.
• 1-877-644-4545: government employees can answer your questions regarding coronavirus
• 514 644-4545: another number to ask questions about coronavirus, but only if you are in Montreal
• 418 644-4545: call for all coronavirus concerns if you are in the rest of Quebec, outside of the Montreal region
• 211: call if you need help with finding resources such as food banks, government services, etc…
• 311: call if you have questions about city services
• For all other information, the government has set up a tab on their official website Quebec.ca/coronavirus.
• 514-394-1793: staff from the city of Montreal can answer questions and concerns from small and medium-sized businesses affected by the crisis. They can also help navigate the resources set up by the different levels of government to help local entrepreneurs.

Financial help

Temporary Aid for Workers Program (PATT)

The government of Quebec has set up a temporary financial aid program for Quebecers who are losing income after being forced to self-isolate.

Those who are eligible can access $573 a week, for up to two weeks. Criteria and instructions to use this program can be found on the government’s website.

You can also call 1-877-644-4545.

Applications open March 19.

Tax deadlines extended

Quebec

The Quebec government is extending its deadline to file taxes to June 1.

Under the plan, tax payments will not have to be made until July 31.

More information can be found on this website: Quebec.ca/coronavirus

Laval

The city of Laval is pushing the deadline to pay the first installment of your tax bill to April 16.

Property owners in Laval can now pay their first and second installment of their property taxes, interest and penalty-free on September 1.

The city of Montreal is also pushing the deadline to pay your second installment of municipal taxes to July 2. It was previously due June 1.

The city of Beaconsfield is also pushing its tax deadline.

The May 25 tax installment is postponed to June 29 and a second installment on August 31.

Hydro-Quebec to suspend actions against unpaid bills

Hydro-Quebec announced that it will be suspending its actions against unpaid bills.

The provider said it will cease cutting off power to those unable to pay their electricity bills — residential or business.

Hydro is asking Quebecers who are having financial difficulties to make arrangements by calling their customer service line.

Help for local businesses

Montreal

Montreal has put in place an action plan to support small and medium-sized local businesses. The city is also setting up a business monitoring help and support service to inform business owners as the situation evolves.

Laval

Développement économique Laval is offering a three-month moratorium on payment of capital and interest payments starting April 1.

Laval companies who have a loan with Fonds locaux d’investissement (FLI) et de solidarité (FLS) can also choose to extend their loan for another three months.

The measure still needs to be passed during city council on April 7 and would apply retroactively to April 1.

Développement économique Laval is offering loans to local businesses who need them for up to $250,000.

Travel arrangements

Sunwing

Sunwing is suspending all southbound flights between March 17 and April 9. If you need to cancel your flight or require any information regarding your bookings, check their website.

If you’re helping a family member who is stuck abroad, the company is also offering available seats on its repatriation flights from southern destinations to stranded Canadians, free of charge – including for non-Sunwing customers.

Canadians looking to return home on a Sunwing flight should check the most up to date flight times at this page.

Via Rail

On March 28, Via Rail announced changes to their service which will be made effective as of March 31 and will be in place until further notice.

It is offering one train per day in each direction on routes that are still operating in the Corridor.

“This will allow VIA Rail to better deploy its resources and equipment in order to further protect the health and safety of its passengers and employees,” indicated the press release.

Route: Québec City-Montréal-Ottawa — Service: 22 and 39
Route: Toronto-Kingston-Montréal — Service:  66 and 63
Route: Toronto-Kingston- Ottawa — Service: 44 and 53

The Ocean Montréal-Halifax is suspended until May 1.

Via Rail also extended their cancellation policy to include all travel through May 31, 2020.  Passengers will be able to cancel or modify their reservation “at any time prior to departure and receive a full refund in addition to not incurring any service charges, regardless of when they purchased their ticket.”

For more information visit their website.

Air Miles

If you have booked a flight through Air Miles and are within 36 hours of your scheduled travel date, or if you are currently at your destination and need assistance with your return travel, you can reach their customer service by dialing the following numbers:

Toronto: 416-226-5171
Toll free: 1-888-AIR-MILES (247-6453)

You can also check their website for details on the impact of coronavirus on your trip and frequently asked questions.

Legal advice

Call 211 to be referred to an organization that can provide free legal aid for your specific matter. You can also visit their website for more information.

NOVAlex, a legal aid organization, has a team of 16 lawyers and three law students available to low-income individuals, non-profits and start-up entrepreneurs who are affected by COVID-19.

They can answer legal questions free of charge regarding housing, employment, contracts or other issues arising from the current pandemic.

You can reach them by calling the NOVAlex’ COVID-19 Legal Helpline at 1-855-561-4402.

In order to determine your eligibility to the service, visit their website.

Free legal information for victims of domestic violence

Juripop has opened a helpline for victims of domestic violence to access family law information.

The service is being offered until May 1st for the moment. It consists of free 20-minute telephone consultations with a lawyer specializing in family law.

The team offers legal advice on issues such as compliance with judgements in times of health emergencies, the issue of shelters and health measures introduced, and the right to leave an unhealthy relationship and bring children with them.

For renters

Eviction hearings are suspended at the Régie du logement until March 23, except for cases in which health and safety are compromised.

But if you are worried about not being able to pay rent or what are your rights as a tenant, you can reach out to your local housing committee to ask questions for free.

Updates

For live updates from across the country, Global News has a dedicated page with all the necessary information.