Photo: Bruce Damonte Services Guide for holders of temporary work permits and their families Dear readers,
On behalf of everyone who has helped develop this guide, I would like to offer you the warmest of welcomes to our area.
Thanks to exceptional economic performance, a decreasing active population and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada, Québec City has plenty of promising job opportunities available.
Since 2008, businesses have been welcoming hundreds of workers and their families each year.
This services guide is here to help your experience in Québec City—both at work and in your everyday life— be as enriching and promising as possible. The region’s organizations have adapted some of their services for newcomers to suit the realities of temporary workers who hope to live here long-term.
I am proud to help the families who have chosen our beautiful area with their arrival and integration.
Happy reading!
Line Lagacé Vice-President — Business Growth and Foreign Investment Québec International
2 Service guide for holders of temporary work permits and their families TABLE OF CONTENTS
HEALTH 4
DAYCARE 4
HOUSING 4
LEARNING FRENCH 5
TECHNOLOGY CLASSES 6
BANKS 6
INSURANCE 6
MATERIAL AID 7
EMPLOYMENT 7 Labour standards 7 Job search 8
EDUCATION 8 Primary and secondary schools 8 Post-secondary schools 9
DRIVER’S LICENCE, REGISTRATION AND ROAD SAFETY 9
TRANSPORTATION 10
LEISURE 10
SERVICES IN CHARLEVOIX AND PORTNEUF 10
COMMUNITY SERVICES 11
OTHER IMPORTANT RESOURCES 11
3 HEALTH
Réseau de la santé et des services sociaux de la région de la Capitale-Nationale portal [Capitale-Nationale integrated health and social services network] [French only] www.ciusss-capitalenationale.gouv.qc.ca
Info-Santé 8-1-1 (Anonymous) [bilingual] Dial 811: Service to contact a nurse, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Index Santé [French only] Quebec health index. Contains public, private and community health resources. www.indexsante.ca
Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec [Quebec health insurance board] [Bilingual] The Régie manages public health and prescription drug insurance. It educates the population, oversees eligibility, pays healthcare professionals and ensures the safe circulation of information. www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/Pages/home.aspx
Les Maisons de la famille [French only] Places where individuals, couples and family can access resources and get help for all types of personal or relationship problems. It is available to everyone, no matter what their family type, country of origin or socio-economic situation. www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/famille (under the “Ressources utiles” section)
9-1-1 emergency services [Bilingual] Dial 911: Accidents, fires, incidents that need the police and all other emergencies.
Walk-in clinics [Bilingual] www.sante.gouv.qc.ca/en/repertoire-ressources/consultations-medicales-sans-rendez-vous
DAYCARE
La Place 0-5 [bilingual] Portal for daycare services in Quebec www.laplace0-5.com
Réseau d’information sur les services de garde du Québec [Information on daycare services in Quebec] [French only] Detailed information on daycare openings. www.magarderie.com
Ministère de la Famille [Ministry of Families] [Bilingual] The Ministère provides services in family-related areas and assistance to community organizations and national, regional and local partners. www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca/en
HOUSING
Listings www.lespac.com [French only] or quebec.kijiji.ca [Bilingual]
Note: You can also look for listings in the weekend newspapers, especially the Saturday papers.
Information on renters’ rights and responsibilities [French only] www.lebail.qc.ca
Housing in Quebec www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/living-quebec/housing/index.html (“Choosing your housing” section)
4 Service guide for holders of temporary work permits and their families LEARNING FRENCH
Service d’aide à l’adaptation des immigrants et Centre International des Femmes immigrantes [Immigrant adaptation support service] de Québec [Quebec International [Bilingual] Women’s Centre] [Bilingual, but page Small group classes available in French only] Free Courses offered by professionals Telephone: 418 523-2058 $5 registration fee for temporary residents www.saaiquebec.com/en/accueil.php Telephone: 418 688-5530 Email: [email protected] Mieux-être des immigrants (MEI) [Immigrant Help] www.cifqfemmes.qc.ca [French only] Group courses (different levels) Eastern Québec Learning Centre [Bilingual] $75 registration fee for temporary residents Group classes (some eligibility conditions apply) Telephone: 418 527-0177 Registration and equipment fees Email: [email protected] Telephone: 418 654-0537 meiquebec.org Email: [email protected] www.easternquebec.ca/en Atout-Lire [French only] Community literacy (reading and writing) group. You must Centre Louis-Jolliet [French only] be able to speak French. Free with Emploi-Québec subsidy Group classes for full-time students Administration and academic equipment fees Telephone: 418 524-9353 Telephone: 418 686-4040 ext. 8280 Email: [email protected] www.centrelouisjolliet.qc.ca atoutlire.ca Centre d’éducation des adultes des Découvreurs Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy [Gabrielle-Roy library] [Découvreurs adult education centre] [Bilingual] [French only] Courses depending on the level Self-guided French course (in computer lab) Some conditions apply. Free Telephone: 418 652-2158, ext. 7530 Telephone: 418 641-6789 phenix.csdecou.qc.ca/francisation Email: [email protected] www.bibliothequedequebec.qc.ca Laval University [Bilingual] (select from the “Bibliothèques” drop-down menu) The primary mandate of the École de langues de l’Univer- sité Laval is to meet the needs of the academic Centre d’autoapprentissage du français pour immigrants community in regard to practical training in second and (CAFI) [French independent learning center for foreign languages, and to assess the skills in these areas. immigrants ] [French only] It is also called upon to collaborate with various programs Personalized independent learning program (in computer at the University in order to upgrade and consolidate the lab) knowledge of the French language. Free www.elul.ulaval.ca Telephone: 418 659-6620, ext. 5099 dfc.cegep-ste-foy.qc.ca/accueil (“Francisation” section)
5 TECHNOLOGY CLASSES [French only] Cost: Free Location: Gabrielle-Roy library Telephone: 418 641-6789 ext. 224
Introductory courses for: • Computers • Windows • Excel • Word • Internet www.bibliothequesdequebec.qc.ca (“activités - Technologie” section)
Note: The Québec City library network has many computer stations available to you, whether you want to work, study or have fun. You can use the Internet and some programs for free. Conditions of use may change from one library to another. You can get a library card by providing proof of residence (driver’s licence, electricity bill, etc.).
BANKS*
Business Development Bank of Canada: www.bdc.ca Bank of Montreal: www.bmo.com HSBC Canada Bank: www.hsbc.ca Laurentian Bank: www.banquelaurentienne.ca/en National Bank: www.nbc.ca Royal Bank of Canada: www.rbcroyalbank.com Desjardins: www.desjardins.com CIBC: www.cibc.com TD Canada Trust: www.tdcanadatrust.com *Note: All bank websites are bilingual.
INSURANCE
Insurance Bureau of Canada [Bilingual] In Canada, insurance falls into two distinct categories: personal insurance (life and health) and property and casualty insurance, commonly referred to as P&C insurance, which covers fire, accidents and various risks. The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the association that represents the majority of P&C insurers, i.e. those that offer property insurance (home and business), car insurance and the one covering civil liability. www.bac-quebec.qc.ca/en
6 Service guide for holders of temporary work permits and their families MATERIAL AID
Emmaüs [French only] Sells used and reduced items (clothes, appliances, furniture and small items) Telephone: 418 692-0385 Address: 915, rue Saint-Vallier Est, Québec QC G1K 3P9 comptoiremmaus.com
Value Village [Bilingual] Thrift store www.valuevillage.com
Vestiaires de la Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul de Québec [French only] www.ssvpq.org/vestiaires-de-la-ssvpq
Salvation Army [Bilingual] Thrift stores www.thriftstore.ca/qc
Au Revend Dons [French only] Sells used and reduced items (appliances, furniture, sofas, dishes, etc.) Address: 1926, boulevard Bastien, Québec QC G2B 1C1 Telephone: 418 845-0130 www.aurevenddons.com
Marché aux puces de Sainte-Foy [Sainte-Foy flea market] The Marché aux puces de Sainte-Foy is held in the Sainte-Foy-Sillery borough every year from May to October. It takes place every Sunday from 8 AM to 4 PM in the sport center parking lot, very close to the Sainte-Foy bus station. Address: 930, avenue Roland-Beaudin, Québec QC G1V 4H8
YWCA [French only] Thrift store www.ywcaquebec.qc.ca/ecoboutiques
Le comptoir Louise et Frédéric [French only] Thrift store www.vetementsmeubles.shost.ca
Note: During the summer, you can also shop at garage sales. These sales are sometimes announced on quebec.kijiji.ca and www.lespac.com
EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR STANDARDS Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) [Commission for labour standards, equity, health and safety] [French only] The CNESST has been mandated by the Government of Quebec to promote work-related rights and obligations. It ensures that Quebec’s workers and employers are both respected. This section informs you about the organization and its declaration of services. www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/Pages/accueil.aspx
7 JOB SEARCH Local Employment Centre (CLE) [Bilingual] Each CLE has a multiservice room in which you will find staff who can guide you, advise you on how to use job search tools and help you find information on the labour market. CLEs also provides you with useful documents to help you plan and perform your job search, billboards that list job opportunities and practical advice on searching for jobs. Additionally, telephones, fax machines and computers are available to help you access various job search websites and create a resume, cover letter or letter of interest. To find the CLE nearest you or learn more about Emploi-Québec’s services, call 1 877 767-8773 www.emploiquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en
Job search mentoring [Bilingual] • Are you in Québec City and have a temporary work permit? • Are you not a permanent resident? • Do you have a temporary work permit or WHP, or are you a spouse with an open permit? Every month a different employability organization of the Québec City region offers you services to help you in your job search (writing a resume, preparing for a job interview, etc.) Individual meetings and group workshops are available to help you enter the Quebec job market. For more information, please visit www.quebecentete.com/en/living-in-quebec-city/services-for-immigrants
EDUCATION
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS Commission scolaire de la Capitale [La Capitale school board] [French only] The Commission scolaire de la Capitale offers primary, secondary, vocational and adult education. It serves part of the Capitale-Nationale area, namely the boroughs of La Cité-Limoilou, Les Rivières and La Haute-Saint-Charles; the municipalities of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, Shannon and Fossambault-sur-le-Lac; and the cities of Lac-Saint-Joseph and Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier. www.cscapitale.qc.ca
Commission scolaire des Découvreurs [Découvreurs school board] [French only] The Commission scolaire des Découvreurs offers primary, secondary, vocational and adult education. It serves part of the Capitale-Nationale area (namely Sainte-Foy-Sillery-Cap-Rouge) and the cities of Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures and L’Ancienne-Lorette. www.csdecou.qc.ca (“Programmes” section)
Commission scolaire des Premières-Seigneuries [Premières-Seigneuries school board] [French only] The Commission scolaire des Premières-Seigneuries serves the boroughs of Beauport and Charlesbourg, part of the borough of La Haute-Saint-Charles (Lac-Saint-Charles) and the regional county municipalities (MRC) of Côte-de-Beaupré and Île d’Orléans. It also serves some municipalities in the MRC of La Jacques-Cartier (Lac-Beauport, united townships of Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury, Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval and Lac-Delage). www.csdps.qc.ca
Central Québec School Board [Bilingual] The Central Québec School Board is an Anglophone school board that serves central and northern Quebec. Its district includes the administrative regions of Mauricie, Capitale-Nationale, Chaudière-Appalaches, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and the southern and eastern parts of the Nord-du-Québec administrative region. www.cqsb.qc.ca/en
Private schools [French only] Fédération des établissements d’enseignement privés www.feep.qc.ca
8 Service guide for holders of temporary work permits and their families POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS Service régional d’admission au collégial de Québec [Quebec college admission service] [Bilingual] www.sracq.qc.ca/index.aspx
Public college (CÉGEP) [French only] Ste-Foy: www.cegep-ste-foy.qc.ca Limoilou: www.cegeplimoilou.ca Garneau: www.cegepgarneau.ca St-Lawrence [English]: www.slc.qc.ca
Private college Collège Bart [French only]: www.bart.ca CDI College [Bilingual]: www.cdicollege.ca/quebec Collège Mérici [Bilingual]: www.merici.ca/divers/english Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy (CNDF) [French only]: www.cndf.qc.ca Collège O’Sullivan [French only]: www.osullivan-quebec.qc.ca
Universities Laval University [Bilingual]: www.ulaval.ca/en École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP) [Bilingual]: www.enap.ca/enap/en Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) / Lévis campus [Bilingual]: www.uqar.ca/nous-joindre/english
Vocational and technical training [Bilingual] www.inforoutefpt.org (“Who are we?” section)
TÉLUQ [Bilingual] TÉLUQ (or Télé-université) is the only French-language university in North America to offer all of its courses online. www.teluq.ca/site/en
DRIVER’S LICENSE, REGISTRATION AND ROAD SAFETY
Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) [Quebec automobile insurance corporation] [Bilingual] The SAAQ is a state-owned enterprise that is responsible for registering drivers and vehicles in the province and protecting all drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in Quebec. www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en
Preparation for the driver’s licence knowledge test [French only] The Highway educational software is an excellent tool to help you prepare for the driver’s licence knowledge test. It’s an interactive way to become familiar with Quebec’s rules of the road. The software, which takes the form of a test, is divided into sections that cover different aspects of driving. You must answer questions (including scenarios) related to each section. The preparation involves self-guided use of the software whenever the participant is available. Free Centre R.I.R.E. 2000 Telephone: 418 524-5609 www.r2000.qc.ca
9 TRANSPORTATION
RTC [Bilingual] The Réseau de transport de la Capitale provides public transportation services to the population. Information about schedules, routes and fares is available on their website: www.rtcquebec.ca/en
Communauto [Bilingual] Carsharing service with a fleet of cars that can be rented for an hour, a day or even longer. www.communauto.com/index_en.html
Kangaride [Bilingual; Amigo Express in French] Inter-city carpooling service: www.kangaride.com
Note: There are many Facebook groups that can arrange carpools by connecting drivers and passengers.
LEISURE
Ville de Québec [French only] Leisure activities by borough www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/citoyens/loisirs_sports
Ville de Québec [French only] Welcoming, integration and intercultural relationship activities www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/nouveaux_arrivants
Accès-Loisirs [French only] Accès-Loisirs Québec is a mobilization, programming, cooperation and partnership organization for community, leisure and mutual aid centres. www.accesloisirsquebec.com
Quoi faire à Québec [What to do in Québec] [Bilingual] Events and activities in Québec City www.quoifaireaquebec.com/en
SERVICES IN CHARLEVOIX AND PORTNEUF
Charlevoix [French only] Les services de main-d’oeuvre l’Appui helps newcomers adapt, settle and find a job (help with writing résumés, providing references and teaching job search skills). It also provides a general information service for applying for permanent residency. www.cje-appui.qc.ca
Portneuf [French only] Accès Travail Portneuf provides free adaptation and job search services to temporary workers who wish to settle in the MRC of Portneuf. Contact their immigration agent at: Email: [email protected] www.accestravailportneuf.com (“Services aux personnes immigrantes” section)
10 Service guide for holders of temporary work permits and their families COMMUNITY SERVICE
211 [French only] 211 is a centralized information and referral service that quickly directs people towards resources in the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches regions, as well as the MRC of Haute-Yamaska. Specialized agents answer calls, evaluate callers’ needs and direct them towards the relevant services. Telephone: 211 www.211quebecregions.ca
There are many other community resources available that have not been listed here. Most of these services are available regardless of immigration status. For a complete list of services offered in your area, please use the 211 service.
OTHER IMPORTANT RESOURCES
Service d’aide à l’adaptation des immigrants et immigrantes [Immigrant adaptation support service] [Bilingual] Service for immigrants, regardless of status. Home visits, support in the healthcare network and interpreter services, individual follow-up with the system navigator, buying group, community kitchen, information meetings and cultural get-togethers, assistance with learning French, French workshops. Address: Halles Fleur de Lys - 245, rue Soumande, local RC 24 Telephone: 418 523-2058 www.saaiquebec.com/en/accueil.php
Office français de l’immigration et de l’intégration (OFII) [French office of immigration and integration] [Bilingual] Service to help French nationals living in Quebec and foreign nationals living in France for employment purposes, either temporarily or permanently. In order to meet with an OFII counsellor, you must make an appointment by contacting the Montreal office by telephone or by email. Telephone: 514 987-1756 Email: [email protected] www.ofii.fr
Voice of English-Speaking Québec [Bilingual] The Voice of English-speaking Québec is an autonomous, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of a dynamic English-speaking community in the Greater Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches regions and to the promotion of its interests. Address: 1270, chemin Sainte-Foy, suite 2141, Québec QC G1S 2M4 Telephone: 418 683-2366 www.veq.ca
Les immigrants de la Capitale [French only] Monthly opinion and information newspaper for Québec City’s immigrant community. For points of distribution and all other information: www.immigrantscapitale.qc.ca
Centre d’action bénévole de Québec [Québec City volunteer centre] [French only] Offers volunteering opportunities that allow immigrants to socialize with other people—volunteers, employees and recipients alike. For more information, call 418 681-3501 www.cabquebec.org
Québec Ombudsman [Bilingual] Free service that oversees and manages your complaints about a department or agency within the Government of Quebec, a public organization, or an institution within the health and social services network. The Quebec Ombudsman is independent from the government. It is a neutral and unbiased party. For more information, call 418 643-2688 or email [email protected] www.protecteurducitoyen.qc.ca/en
11 To consult this guide online, please visit: www.quebecentete.com [Bilingual] (“Living—Services for immigrants” section)