Voice of English-speaking Québec

Newcomers Information

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Starting life in Quebec City?

VEQ is here to help you settle in and connect with a vibrant English-speaking community!

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For immigration questions, reach out to Immigration and citizenship Canada or Immigration Québec.

Newcomer’s F.A.Q.

Activities

In the community

Want to meet people and connect with others in Québec City? VEQ organizes regular events and activities for everyone to join. Check our calendar of events to see what’s coming up and what’s happening in the community.

Annual highlights include:

  • Spring Fest in March
  • Fall Fest in September
  • Holiday Happy Hour in December

These events are a fun way to meet new people and network! Stay up to date by following us on Facebook, where we share the latest community events, activities, and opportunities to get involved.

Neighbourhood Activities

Looking for things to do in your neighbourhood or the city? Here are some resources to help you get started:

Don’t forget to explore your local community centre! They often host activities, workshops, and fun borough events throughout the year. These are great ways to meet people, improve your French and get involved.

211 Québec

Dial 211 to connect with a wide range of community, social, and government services in the Greater Québec City and Chaudière-Appalaches regions.
It’s free and easy to use!

Education and Schools

Québec offers free public education from kindergarten to high school, with subsidized post-secondary options like CÉGEP, college, and university.

School Basics

  • Elementary: Kindergarten to Grade 6
  • Secondary: Secondary 1 (Grade 7) to Secondary 5 (Grade 11)
  • School is mandatory for children 6–16, running late August/early September to late June

Language of Instruction

Public schools are English or French. To attend an English school, your child usually needs a certificate of eligibility.

The Central Québec School Board manages English schools in the region: 418-688-8730 | www.cqsb.qc.ca

Bill 101

In Québec, the French Language Charter (Bill 101), adopted in 1977, requires that most children attend school in French until the end of secondary education, whether in a public or government-subsidized private school.

Certain exceptions allow some children to study in English under specific conditions. This regulation does not apply to colleges, universities, or private institutions that are not subsidized by the government.

Enrolling Your Children in English Schools

If you would like your child to attend an English public school, they will generally need a certificate of eligibility. To learn more about eligibility criteria and the authorization process, consult this article from Éducaloi, which provides a clear explanation of how it works: https://educaloi.qc.ca/en/capsules/access-to-english-schools-in-quebec/

Who to Contact

Elections

To vote in a federal or provincial election, you must:

  • Be 18 years or older on election day
  • Be a Canadian citizen
  • Have been living in Québec for at least 6 months (provincial elections only)
  • Not be under public curatorship
  • Not have lost your electoral rights
  • Be on the voters’ list (provincial elections only)

More information:

Work

Getting Started

Starting your career in Québec can feel overwhelming. This section is designed to help you understand the basics of working here to get you started.

Looking for more support or information? Head to the Employment section (link).

Eligibility

Before starting a job in Québec, it’s important to know whether you are legally allowed to work. Your eligibility depends on your status in Canada:

  • Canadian citizens and permanent residents can work freely in Québec without a permit.
  • Temporary residents or foreign nationals may need a work permit or authorization to work. The type of permit required depends on your visa, study permit, or other immigration status.

For more detailed information about working in Québec and what permits you may need, see https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/work-quebec

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

To work in Canada, you must have a Social Insurance Number. This number is essential for employment, taxes, and accessing government programs.

Apply at any Service Canada Centre or online: www.servicecanada.gc.ca

Professional Credentials and Recognition

If you trained or worked in another country, some jobs in Québec may require official recognition of your credentials. This ensures your skills meet local standards.

To learn how to have your education or professional experience recognized, check with the relevant professional regulatory body or visit the Québec government’s site: www.quebec.ca/en/education/recognition-foreign-credentials

Labour Laws

Québec has rules in place to protect workers. These include minimum wage, maximum working hours, overtime, breaks, vacation, and protection against unfair dismissal. Knowing your rights helps you work safely and fairly.

For more information, visit the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) website: www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca

You can also visit Educaloi and check out their Work section: https://educaloi.qc.ca/en/categories/work/

Health and Safety at Work

Your safety at work is important. Employers must provide a safe environment and proper training. If you experience unsafe conditions or a workplace injury, the CNESST can help. Learn more about your rights and what to do if something happens at work: www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca

Employment Insurance (EI)

If you have lost your job and have worked a certain number of weeks, you may be eligible for Employment Insurance benefits. EI provides temporary financial support while you look for work or upgrade your skills.

Family Benefits and Childcare

Benefits

Provincial Child Assistance Payment

If you have children under 18, you may qualify for the Child Assistance Payment from Retraite Québec. The amount depends on your number of children, income, and family situation. Extra support is available for children with disabilities.

Federal Family Benefits

The federal government also offers helpful benefits, including the Canada Child Benefit and the Child Disability Benefit.

Apply or get more info: 1-800-387-1193 | cra-arc.gc.ca

Childcare

Québec helps make childcare more affordable. Options include: Home childcare providers, Childcare centres (CPE), Subsidized or non-subsidized daycares. Read more about the daycare system here: www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca/en or call 1-855-336-8568

Need childcare? Register your child now: www.quebec.ca/famille-et-soutien-aux-personnes/enfance/garderies-et-services-de-garde/portail-inscription

Drop-in options are also available here: https://ahgcq.org/

Québec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP)

The QPIP provides income support for parents taking maternity, paternity, parental, or adoption leave. You’re eligible if you’ve earned income as an employee or self-employed.

Find out more: rqap.gouv.qc.ca/en

Health Care

Navigating the healthcare system in a new city can be challenging, especially in a different language. This section gives English-speaking newcomers the tools and resources you need, from local clinics and community programs to the Health Passport and helpful apps.

Head to our Health and Social Services page to get started and take charge of your health in Quebec City.

Housing

Renting a Home in Québec

Before You Sign a Lease

  • Agree on the monthly rent, furnishings and appliances, and who pays utilities (electricity, hot water, etc.).
  • You can ask to see the previous tenant’s lease.
  • Leases are usually in French, unless both parties agree to another language. English leases are available through the Régie du logement (RDL).

Lease Length

  • One-year leases are standard, running July 1 to June 30. July 1 is moving day for most Quebecers, so book moving trucks early (sometimes as early as December!).
  • Shorter or longer leases are possible, but you must discuss and confirm the length with your landlord.

Ending or Changing Your Lease

  • Give your landlord 3–6 months’ written notice before the end of your lease if you plan to move out.
  • Landlords must notify you of changes, like rent increases, 3–6 months before the lease ends. You have one month to respond.
  • If you don’t respond, your lease automatically renews for another year with the new terms. You can accept or try to renegotiate. The Régie du logement can help if you and your landlord cannot agree.

Understanding Accommodation Sizes

  • Housing in Québec often include a “1/2,” which refers to the bathroom. For example, a 4½ usually has two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom.
  • Large appliances are not always included in the rent.

Need Help?

Know Your Rights: Visit Educaloi for clear legal information about housing and property

Tenant/Landlord Questions: Call the Régie du logement at 1-800-683-2245 or visit www.rdl.gouv.qc.ca/en

Buying a Home in Québec

  • You will need a notary to prepare legal documents and handle your mortgage.
  • A one-time “welcome tax” is payable to your municipality when you buy a house, whether it’s newly built or not.
Immigration

For immigration related information:

Support Services for the Integration of Immigrants in Quebec City Region: This useful tool (available only in French currently) can help guide you to useful resources for immigrants in our region.

Project Immigration et Refugees by the University of Montréal: you can also consult this document about general legal information about immigration for the province of Québec.

Income Tax

Everyone who lives and works in Canada must file their taxes each year.

If your main residence was in Québec on December 31 of the tax year, you must file both federal and provincial (Québec) income tax returns by April 30. You can complete the forms in English or French, and you must send them to each agency separately.

Your employer will give you your tax slips (T4, RL-1) for the previous year’s income.

Federal Taxes

Contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-800-959-8281 or visit cra-arc.gc.ca.

Provincial Taxes

Contact Revenue Québec at 418-659-6299 (press 9 for English) or visit revenuquebec.ca/en

Transportation

Driver’s Licence

If you are new to Québec and have a valid driver’s licence from another province or country, you have up to 6 months to exchange it for a Québec licence. Students or people on a work exchange may have different rules.

For questions, contact the Société de l’Assurance Automobile du Québec (SAAQ) at 418-643-7620 (press 9 for English) or visit www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en.

To exchange your licence

  • Make an appointment: 1-800-361-7620 (Canadian citizens) or 1-888-356-6616 (non-Canadian citizens)
  • Verify which documents you need before your appointment
  • Fees and procedures vary depending on your situation
  • Additional testing may be required

Bringing a Car to Québec

If you bring a car from another province or country, you have 90 days to register it and get Québec plates from the SAAQ. Your car must pass an inspection at an SAAQ-approved garage. Find a nearby garage here: www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/find-service-outlet/

**It is recommended that you contact the SAAQ at (418) 643-7620 before going to a service outlet in order to verify which documents are required.

Insurance

Québec has a no-fault insurance system that covers all residents for bodily injury in road accidents. This does not prevent authorities from prosecuting dangerous or negligent drivers. It means that after an accident, you cannot sue for damages, no matter who is at fault.

All vehicle owners must carry at least $50,000 in private liability coverage for property damage. Insurance brokers can help you find the right policy. Your premiums may be lower if you provide proof of previous driving experience when exchanging your licence with the SAAQ.

For more details regarding car insurance in Québec visit the Educaloi website at: www.educaloi.qc.ca/en

Getting Around Quebec City

  • Public Transit: The Réseau de Transport de la Capitale (RTC) serves many parts of the city. More info: 418-627-2511 or rtcquebec.ca.
  • Para-Transit: Service de transport adapté de la Capitale (STAC) provides service for people with limited mobility. Call 418-687-2641.
  • South Shore Buses: The Société de transport de Lévis (STL) serves Lévis and surrounding areas. More info: 418-837-2401 or stlevis.ca.
  • Ferry Service: Société des traversiers du Québec connects Lévis and downtown Quebec City. Service is free for RTC and STL monthly pass holders. More info: 1-877-787-7483 or traversiers.com/en.
  • Car Sharing: Communauto lets you rent a car by the hour without the costs of ownership. More info: 418-523-1788 or communauto.com.

Travelling Outside of Québec City

Bus

Train

Carpooling resources

Utilities

Hydro-Québec is the electricity provider in Quebec City. To open an account or for more information call 1-888-385-7252 (9 for English) or visit their website at www.hydroquebec.com/en.

For telephone, cable, internet, and natural gas, please compare prices of local providers to see what the best deal is for you.