Ethan PellerinHydro-Québec Strike Looming: What Homeowners and Businesses in Quebec Should Do Now to Prepare for Power Disruptions
The largest union at Hydro-Québec — the SCFP (Canadian Union of Public Employees), representing 6,200 skilled workers including electricians, mechanics, and line installers — was preparing to file a formal strike notice as of April 28, 2026. With collective bargaining stalled since the agreement expired in December 2023, the risk of a labour disruption affecting Quebec's power grid has never been more real. Here's what homeowners and businesses should do to prepare.
The State of Negotiations
The central dispute between Hydro-Québec and the SCFP is the use of subcontracting. The union argues that excessive reliance on external contractors reduces safety standards and threatens permanent jobs. Hydro-Québec, for its part, says subcontracting is essential to manage peak demand and maintain service levels.
After two weeks of silence from the employer on a union proposal made in mid-April, the SCFP announced it was moving toward a strike vote. La Presse reported on April 28, 2026 that the union was in "final preparations."
If a strike proceeds, it would not necessarily mean immediate blackouts — essential workers remain operational during strikes at utilities. However, routine maintenance, repairs, and storm restoration capacity would be reduced significantly. A prolonged strike during Quebec's unstable spring weather could lead to extended outages for hundreds of thousands of customers.
What You Should Do Before a Strike Happens
The window before a strike is the time to act. Here are the most important steps:
1. Test your circuit breaker panel and key electrical systems If you haven't done so recently, this is the moment to verify that everything works correctly. Faulty wiring or an overloaded panel can become a serious safety problem when power fluctuates during a storm response with reduced crews. A licensed electrician can perform a quick safety inspection and identify issues before they become emergencies.
2. Invest in a backup power solution Options range from portable generators (a few hundred dollars) to whole-home standby generators (installed starting at $3,000–$6,000) or home battery systems like the Tesla Powerwall. Each has advantages:
- Portable generators: Affordable, but require outdoor operation (carbon monoxide hazard), manual refuelling, and manual connection via a transfer switch
- Standby generators: Automatically kick in within seconds of an outage; powered by propane or natural gas; excellent for medical equipment or home offices
- Battery storage: Silent, zero-emission, ideal for shorter outages or solar panel integration
A home improvement specialist or licensed electrician can help you choose and safely install the right solution for your home.
3. Stock up on essentials Keep at minimum: flashlights and extra batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, three days of non-perishable food and water per person, and medications. According to the Government of Canada's Emergency Preparedness guide, every household should maintain a 72-hour emergency kit.
Your Legal Rights During an Extended Power Outage
If a Hydro-Québec strike leads to prolonged outages and you suffer damages — spoiled food, damage to electronics or appliances from power surges, or loss of business revenue — you have potential recourse.
Against Hydro-Québec: Hydro-Québec's standard conditions of service limit their liability for outage-related damages to what is specified in the tariff approved by the Régie de l'énergie du Québec. In most cases, routine residential claims for food spoilage are not covered. However, if negligence can be proven (e.g., failure to restore power within a reasonable time despite having the capacity to do so), a legal claim may be possible.
Through your home insurance: Most home insurance policies include spoilage coverage for food when power is cut for more than a specified number of hours (often 12–24 hours). Check your policy now, before an outage occurs.
For businesses: A business interruption claim requires you to demonstrate financial losses caused by the outage. Documenting revenue, expenses, and the timeline of the outage from the outset is critical. A lawyer can help you assess whether a claim against Hydro-Québec or your insurer is viable.
Important Safety Reminders
A labour disruption means fewer Hydro-Québec crews available for emergency response. Homeowners should be especially vigilant:
- Never use a gas generator indoors or in an attached garage — carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of death during power outages in North America
- Downed power lines are always live — do not approach and call 911
- Protect electronics with surge protectors — power restoration after a long outage can cause brief voltage spikes that damage appliances
What Small Businesses Should Know
Restaurants, medical offices, and other businesses that depend on continuous power have specific vulnerabilities during utility labour disruptions. In addition to backup generators, small business owners should review:
Commercial refrigeration insurance riders: Many commercial policies have special riders for perishable goods. Verify your coverage limits and the minimum outage duration required before a claim is accepted.
Essential equipment priorities: Identify which equipment absolutely needs backup power (security systems, refrigeration, POS systems, medical devices) versus what can be safely shut down.
Customer communication plans: If your business must close due to an extended outage, a clear communication plan for customers and staff reduces confusion and potential disputes.
A small business legal advisor or financial consultant can help you review your contracts, insurance policies, and supplier agreements to understand your exposure before a strike occurs.
Should You Call an Electrician Before the Strike?
If you have been putting off an electrical upgrade, a generator installation, or a panel replacement, doing it before a potential strike is strongly advisable. Licensed electricians in Quebec book out quickly when demand spikes. Waiting until an outage occurs — or until news of an imminent strike spreads widely — means you will be at the back of the queue.
Via Expert Zoom, you can quickly connect with a certified electrician or home improvement specialist in Quebec who can assess your home's readiness and recommend the right backup power solution for your budget and needs.
