First edition - free 2017-2018 living in Québec City and its surroundings Capitale-Nationale - Chaudière-Appalaches In partnership with: i m m i g r a n tqueb e c . c o m DESJARDINS GROUP 1st COOPERATIVE FINANCIAL GROUP IN CANADA ONE OF THE WORLD’S STRONGEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS* MORE THAN 7 MILLION MEMBERS AND CLIENTS In addition to providing the financial products and services you need, our advisors are here to support you every step of the way as you start your life in Canada. desjardins.com/Newcomers * According to The Banker magazine 1701634_ANN_NouvArrivants_rabat_AN.indd 1 17-05-12 08:25 LIVING IN QUÉBEC CITY AND ITS SURROUNDINGS CAPITALE-NATIONALE - CHAUDIÈRE-APPALACHES Publisher: Les Éditions Neopol Inc.: 460 Sainte-Catherine Street West, Suite 300, Montréal QC H3B 1A7 Canada. Tel: 514-279-3015. Website: neopol.ca Printer: Marquis ISBN: 978-2-89771-112-2 Legal Deposit – Bibliothèque nationale du Québec, 2017 Library and Archives Canada, 2017 Editorial content: Immigrant Québec, a non-profit organization Website: immigrantquebec.com Editorial coordination: Delphine Folliet Editors: Éléonore Genolhac, Fanny Bourel Sales and partnerships: Julie Bourgeois Partner coordination: Maeva Hétreau Marketing: Marie Michel Graphic design and page layout: Janou Fleury Cover design: Alexandre Bélanger Collaboration and revision: Québec International Websites: quebecinternational.ca and quebecfirst.com Photo credits: - Cover: Stéphane Audet - Welcome to Québec City: Louis Vézina, Jeff Frenette Photography. - Living in the Québec City area: Yves Tessier, Tessima, Sébastien Larose, Camirand Photo, Village Vacances Valcartier, OTQ / Guy Lessard, Shutterstock. - Welcome to Chaudière-Appalaches: Michel Julien, Sim Charles, Phil Tetu. Despite every effort made to ensure the accuracy of the content in this guide, the texts have no contractual value. The Éditions Neopol, Immigrant Québec and Québec International may not be held liable for changes to the information or the entry into force of new regulations not covered by this guide. Material from this guide may not be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written consent from the publisher. In this guide, the masculine gender is used as a generic to facilitate readability. Québec boasts many attractions and a multitude of charms, in addi- tion to offering exceptional quality of life. Moreover one of the main assets of the Capitale-Nationale region is definitely the people who live there and chose it as the place to build their future. The Québec government is proud to support Québec International in its efforts to make Québec a welcoming land and a first-rate destination. Our region has a lot to offer, and I hope that those who read this guide will join the thousands of newcomers we proudly welcome each year. François Blais Member for Charlesbourg Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region ENSEMBLE on fait avancer le Québec ENSEMBLE on fait avancer le Québec ENSEMBLE on fait avancer le Québec A welcoming place for more than 400 years, Québec City is enriched by the cultures that have taken root here over time and that continue to shape its identity. The cradle of French-speaking civilization in North America, a world heritage treasure, a festive and prosperous capital city, our city is a good place in which to live, to grow and to flourish. Open to talent, to knowhow and to innovation, it offers you its unique personality and its exceptional quality of life. I am pleased with the publication of this guide, which is in addition to the measures taken by the city administration and its partners to facilitate your arrival and settlement in our city. Today, I join with our population and with our business community in encouraging you to choose Québec City as your new home. I am convinced that together, we will make it ever more attractive, more efficient and more dynamic. Régis Labeaume Mayor of Québec City A community of knowledge with cuttin- g-edge infrastructures, Québec City has a human side that larger centres all too often lack. It’s that humanity that drives people to contribute to its vitality. As a political, economic and cultural capital, Québec City offers all of the advanta- ges of the big cities with none of the drawbacks. With an vibrant economy, strong indus- trial diversity, and a climate that fosters growth and success, the Québec City region relies on diversity to contribute to its economic and social dynamism. It is with great pleasure that Québec International announces the publication of this first edition of Living in Québec City and its surrou- ndings, an informative guide about resources adapted to the needs of immigrants. This guide will support you throughout your integration journey and help you build your new life here. The Québec City region, famous for its quality of life, treasures creati- vity, fuels innovation and constantly optimizes conditions in order to build a profitable future for all. Here we help people live better lives. We help businesses prosper. It’s a point of pride. Welcome to the Québec City region! Carl Viel President and CEO Québec International When Samuel de Champlain, one of the new world’s first "immigrants", founded the city of Québec, “where the river narrows” (meaning of the Algonquin word Kébec) in 1608, he surely couldn’t have imagined the inspiring journey that this city would take, eventually becoming the capital city of the prov- ince of the same name. A human-scale, forward-looking city with many points of interest, which attracts many tourists every year, in addition to workers, students and immigrants from around the world, who share in its wealth and remarkable growth. Because we are convinced that immigration constitutes the answer to many of the province’s key challenges, Immigrant Québec, an organiz- ation devoted to informing future and current newcomers, is proud to publish this all-new guide, the result of a successful collaborative effort between players in the host society. We hope that it will be the first step of a successful journey as you settle in, and become part of, Québec City and its surrounding area. You’ll find the best resources to facilitate your transition, as well as practical advice and enlightening testimonials. Moreover, you’ll be able to complete the experience by downloading this work free at our website: immigrantquebec.com. I have just one last thing to say: welcome to our beautiful capital city, which is now yours, as well! Jonathan Chodjaï Chairman of the Board of Directors Immigrant Québec SUMMARY WELCOME TO QUÉBEC CITY WHY CHOOSE QUÉBEC CITY? ............. 14 Québec City in a nutshell ................................................................... 14 The attractions of Québec City, city of the future ...........................15 WORK, BUSINESS, STUDIES: IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES ............... 20 Working in Québec City .....................................................................20 Studying in Québec City .................................................................... 25 Programs for adults under 35 years of age .....................................26 PREPARING FOR A STRESS-FREE DEPARTURE 30 Planning an exploratory trip ............................................................30 Calculating your budget and knowing the cost of living...............31 Before you leave, remember to… ................................................... 32 Essential documents to bring ........................................................... 32 Key to a successful move ................................................................... 33 Finding your first home .....................................................................34 Travelling to Québec City .................................................................. 35 TAKING THE FIRST STEPS UPON ARRIVAL ... 38 Obtain a Social Insurance Number ...................................................38 Register with the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec ............................................................................38 Obtain a Québec driver’s licence and insure your vehicle ............40 6 LIVING IN QUÉBEC CITY AND ITS SURROUNDINGS Open a bank account and manage your personal finances ..........41 Obtain telephone and Internet service ...........................................42 Buying basic necessities ....................................................................44 LIVING IN QUÉBEC CITY .................... 50 Discover the city and its neighbourhoods ......................................50 Getting around the city ..................................................................... 53 Housing and furniture .......................................................................58 Using municipal services ...................................................................62 Accessing healthcare .........................................................................64 Building a social network ..................................................................66 Exploring and having fun ..................................................................68 WORKING IN QUÉBEC CITY ................ 75 Sectors recruiting ................................................................................75 The special conditions governing regulated occupations and professions ..................................................................................78 Finding a job ......................................................................................