All You Need To Know Before Moving To Quebec

Quebec is Canada’s second most populated province, with a population of 8.7 million. Well, here’s all you need to know before moving to Quebec. 

Quebec is a unique province compared to other provinces/ territories in Canada because it is the only major French region. Thus, Quebec is the only region that is predominantly Francophone. 

Moving to Quebec can be an excellent alternative for newcomers from French-speaking nations and those seeking to become fluent in French. Well, if you plan on you Need To Know Before Moving To Quebec, this article will help you explore everything. So, without further ado, let us begin!

Housing 

Quebec has one of Canada’s largest housing markets. Housing prices & property types will vary based on the area you choose to live in, the family size, & the property type you are looking to live in. 

Based on the National Rent Rankings updated in August 2023, the rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Montreal is CAD 1,752. This is compared to $1,234 for a one-bedroom in Quebec City. Well, rent for a one-bedroom in Quebec is below the national average of $1,860. 

Commuting 

While move to Quebec, you must also take note of commuting. A minimum of 76% of people residing in Quebec’s three largest metropolitan areas live less than 500 meters from some form of public transit. 

Public transportation includes the subway & the bus. Moreover, Montreal has the STM, a network of buses & subways spanning the city. Sherbrooke & Quebec City have their own transportation system of buses. 

Despite the access to public transportation, over 75% of Montreal, Sherbrooke, & Quebec City residents use personal vehicles to commute. Thus, leasing or buying a car upon moving to the province might be a good alternative. 

Moreover, for the first six months as a new Quebec resident, you might operate a motor vehicle using the driver’s license you obtained in your home nation. At the end of six months, immigrants in Quebec will be required to get a provincial driver’s license from the Quebec government if they intend to continue operating a motor vehicle in Canada. 

Employment 

Quebec’s largest industries by employment include trade professions, social assistance, manufacturing, & healthcare. 

Employees in the trade professions include retail & wholesale trade workers from a significant number of industries, like electronics & groceries. The social assistance & healthcare industry employs doctors, nurses, & other health professionals. Lastly, the manufacturing industry includes professions like appliance technicians & mechanical engineers. 

Healthcare 

Public healthcare is funded through a universal healthcare model, which is jointly funded by resident taxes in Canada. 

Moreover, in Quebec, most newcomers over 18 years must wait up to three months before they are eligible to obtain public healthcare coverage from the province. At the end of the waiting period, any immigrant residing in Quebec is eligible for free healthcare. 

Furthermore, you can apply for a health card on the Government of Quebec website. There is a different set of rules & guidance for people who are settling in the province permanently, those who arrive in the province as seasonal workers, & those who are accompanying immigrants on a work/ study visa. The eligibility for health insurance in Quebec also depends upon your status in the province. 

Usually, a provincial health card offers access to public health services for free. However, specific treatments & medications will require the recipient to pay out of pocket. 

Education 

Children in Quebec enter the education system around the age of 5 when most children begin kindergarten. 

Residents of Quebec can send their children to school for free until the end of high school via the province’s public education system. Parents can choose to send their children to private schools or boarding schools. However, tuition must be paid out of pocket. 

In regards to post-secondary education, Quebec has the second-highest number of DLIs in the nation, with almost 430 DLIs across the province. Many of these institutions offer immigrants access to programs that would make them eligible for PGWP upon graduation. 

The PGWP is valuable for graduates seeking to become permanent residents, as the permit enables the holder to obtain Canadian work experience, which is valuable for permanent resident immigration pathways. 

Taxation 

You Need To Know Before Moving To Quebec moving to Quebec, the government charges a sales tax of 14.975%, which combines a standard GST of 5% & a Quebec sales tax of 9.975%. 

In addition, the residents of Quebec are taxed on their income, which is variable & depends upon how much money you make in a year. 

Newcomer Services In Quebec 

Lastly, Quebec has numerous resources that can aid immigrants to the province with settling into their new home. Some of the services are as follows: 

• Accompagnement Québec: It is a free service that helps immigrants with tasks ranging from settling to learning French.  
• Government of Quebec Online Resources: These resources enable newcomers to search for local service providers depending on their needs. 

AIDE Inc.: It is a Francophone service provider offering settlement services to immigrants in Sherbrooke.