THE QUÉBEC

Quebec is irrigated by the St. Laurent, one of the largest rivers in the world. It crosses from west to east for more than 1,000 kilometers and leads into the Atlantic Ocean. It is Quebec’s drinking water reservoir and one of the most important waterways on the planet.

Québec also has 750,000 lakes, 130,000 rivers and streams that cover 10% of its surface with blue. It holds 3% of the world’s freshwater reserves.

This blue gold is the primary source of energy and is one of the pillars of the Quebec economy. In fact, more than 75% of the electricity consumed by Quebecers comes from hydroelectric plants scattered throughout the territory.

Quebec is a French-speaking society, democratic and rich in diversity, based on the rule of law. The Quebec state and its institutions are secular.

Québec welcomes immigrants from all over the world with their know-how, skills, language, culture and religion. Quebec offers services to these people to facilitate their integration and full participation in Quebec society.

Integrating into Quebec society means being prepared to know and respect your shared values. To assist newcomers in this process, the department, in collaboration with various organizations, is offering the information session Living Together in Quebec. Presented in French, it provides information on the common values of Quebec and the ways in which they are lived on a daily basis.

More than GDP (gross domestic product), stock market quotations or life expectancy at birth, the quality of life criterion is a desirable indicator for any person carrying an immigration project.

Quebec society has made fundamental choices focused on the development of the person. Its advanced health, education and social security services ensure the well-being of its entire population.

Through its history, its values, its traditions but also its modernism and its avant-gardism, Quebec society is recognized today to offer a quality of life unique to the continent of North America.

Living the rhythm of North America with an enviable standard of living and without sacrificing safety and strolls in your neighborhood at dusk: that is the meaning and value of the quality of life in Quebec.

For many people, the safety factor is decisive in their choice of Quebec as a host country.

People who settle in Quebec particularly enjoy living in a safe environment in North America. In Quebec, it is possible to go for a walk in his neighborhood at dusk

Police forces ensure the safety of citizens and enforce the laws. They are required to intervene judiciously, without abusing force, and this, in a large number of situations: emergencies of all kinds.

The hobbies practiced by Quebeckers are numerous and diversified and the four distinct seasons offer a range of activities more interesting than the others.

In winter, Quebeckers can enjoy a large number of sports facilities that allow them to appreciate the winter nature. There are 90 ski resorts and about 40 cross-country ski centers representing thousands of marked trails. There are also more than 30,000 km of snowmobile trails.

In the summer, golf enthusiasts can enjoy hundreds of the best courses in Canada. The Québec cycling network stretches for thousands of kilometers. All Quebec City neighborhoods are equipped with diversified sports facilities: swimming pools, baseball, soccer, tennis, etc. In addition, water sports enthusiasts benefit from hundreds of lakes and rivers to practice their activities.

Quebec has a network of parks and reserves where hunting and fishing and outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in their favorite sports.

A large amount of hiking trails allow Quebecers to find themselves in the countryside, even close to major cities. These are ideal for long walks, picnicking or jogging.

Québec has developed a living culture, resolutely contemporary and open to the world, a culture at the crossroads of European and American trends. It has a formidable network of creators who are increasingly in the international arena, in all disciplines.

Quebec festivals attract hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world every year. An ideal rendez-vous for all audiences, festivals are held in all seasons, in all regions of Quebec.

Lovers of cultural events and lovers of the 7th art enjoy an impressive network of theaters and cinemas that present original productions from here and elsewhere.

Québec also has a vast network of museums, art galleries and exhibition centers.

Literature also allows Quebec culture to express itself and assert itself. Many publishing houses publish thousands of books annually, which are distributed through major trade fairs and an extensive network of public libraries.

Québec’s education system consists of a public education network that goes from pre-school education (kindergarten) to university education.

Education is free for all residents of Quebec, from kindergarten to college education inclusively. Québec’s public education system is secular and is established on a linguistic, francophone and anglophone basis, according to the language of instruction used in schools. Since French is the official language of Quebec, the children of immigrants, regardless of their mother tongue, must normally attend an establishment of the Francophone school board in their locality until the end of their secondary studies. In addition, the mix of classes (boys-girls) is the norm at all levels of study.

There is also a network of private institutions recognized by the Ministry of Education, Recreation and Sports. These institutions also offer formal study programs. To attend them, however, one must pay tuition fees and respect the conditions of admission peculiar to each one.

School attendance is compulsory for all children aged 6 to 16 years. The school year begins at the end of August or the beginning of September and usually ends before June 24. Its duration is at least 180 days.