The lawyers that write the province's laws and advise and represent the Quebec government walked off the job on Monday.
And if their strike lasts too much longer, it could seriously hamper the operations of government.
Quebec's 1,000 government lawyers and notaries have been without a contract for the past year and a half, and negotiations have stalled.
The union representing them wants to make certain people understand what the operation of government would be like without them.
“Most of the time we work in the shadows, but we are the first defence for the rights of individuals, because we are the ones counselling the government before they go to a judge of private lawyer, the government asks our advice with respect to rights,” François Desroches-Lapointe of Lawyers and Notaries of Quebec.
Legal aid is not affected by the strike, and anyone with a case involving the government — a tax-related hearing, for example — is expected to show up.
The union will be maintaining essential services.