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North American
and francophone
Quebec lives at a North American pace. Modern and industrialized, it has staked its place among the ranks of large economic players, particularly in the high technology sector. Its francophone character makes it a unique society in this part of the world. French, the common public language, is used at home by more than 80% of the population. It is the principal language spoken among Quebecois, and also the principal language of work, communications, trade and business. With a population of six million francophone, Quebec is the cradle of francophone culture in North America. Democratic and avant-garde Quebec is endowed with institutions and services to ensure the security and well-being of its people. The fundamental rights of citizens are defined and protected by the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, and ethnic or national origin. Newcomers find a climate of openness in Quebec. All inhabitants can move about freely. Military service is not compulsory. Judicial and political powers are separate from religion. Individuals have the right to freely choose their lifestyle, values, opinions and religion, subject to respecting the fundamental values and laws of Quebec society. The status of women in Quebec exceeds that of most other countries. Women enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as men, and if they marry, they retain their maiden name. Quebec society also lends great importance to the rights, education and needs of children. Quebec is a front runner in protecting personal information and respecting personal privacy. It is also the first government in North America to have granted same-sex spouses the same rights, privileges and obligations as common-law spouses.
From the arrival of early European explorers to the most recent migratory waves, immigration has shaped Quebec and contributed to building its future. The Government of Quebec relies on immigration to help meet some of the challenges faced by Quebecois today, such as offsetting the decline in the birth rate, achieving economic prosperity, perpetuating the French fact and opening up to the world. Quebec welcomes immigrants from the four corners of the world, with their know-how, their skills, their language, their culture and their religion. The Government of Quebec recognizes the enriching contribution of these people. But to fully participate in Quebec society, immigrants must adapt to their new environment. They must be prepared to understand and respect the fundamental values of the host society. The democratic nature of Quebec society encourages immigrants and their descendants to participate fully in civil life.
Quebec is a democratic society. Its political
system is based on freedom, equality and citizen participation in
associations and political parties. Citizens, either by birth or
naturalized, elect their representatives at every level of government
in general elections. The state is non-religious. The independence of religious and political powers is a fundamental value of Quebec society. The Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms states the basic values of Quebec society. It defines the right to equality, bans every form of discrimination and specifies the political, judicial, economic and social rights of citizens. The Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly) of Quebec has adopted a Declaration on Ethnic and Race Relations. It condemns racism and commits the Government of Quebec to encouraging the full participation of every person in the economic, social and cultural development of Quebec, regardless of color, religion, ethnic or national origin. Quebec society favors the settlement of disputes through negotiation. The violent expression of ethnic, political and religious differences is not tolerated.
French is spoken in Quebec. French is the official language and the language most commonly used in public life - at work, in communications, in business and in industry. Quebec is determined to preserve and promote its official language. French is not merely an essential communication tool, but also the common symbol of belonging to Quebec society. To integrate into their new environment, immigrants who do not speak French must strive to learn it. To help them do so, the Government of Quebec offers French courses. Children of immigrants are required to enroll in French school.
Quebec is a pluralist society. The French-speaking majority coexists with an English-speaking minority, American Indian nations and people of various origins and cultures who have come from other parts of the world. The Government of Quebec deems this diversity to be a source of wealth. Cultural exchanges and the coming together of all communities are encouraged. Quebecois, either by birth or immigration, have rights and responsibilities. They have the right to choose their own lifestyle, values, opinions and religion. They have the responsibility to abide by the law, even if it is incompatible with their religion or personal values. For instance, men and women have equal responsibilities and equal rights under the law in both public and private life. Marriage joins a man and a woman as husband and wife; polygamy is illegal. Only civil divorce is legal under Canadian law; the repudiation of one spouse by the other has no legal value. In the event of divorce, the couple's property is shared equally between the two spouses. As for children, the law requires parents or tutors to provide for the security and care essential to their development. The use of violence against a child, a spouse or any other person is prohibited, therefore making clitoridectomy illegal.
Every Quebecois has a responsibility to respect the fundamental values stated in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and other laws. By and large, Quebec's appeal for immigrants stems from the basic values that characterize its society. For immigrants, choosing Quebec is therefore to respect its basic values. If such is your choice, the Government of Quebec welcomes you and invites you to join the seven million Quebec ers from every origin who strive to build the future.
Enjoy living in a secure environment in North America. In Quebec, you don't have to give up your evening strolls in the neighborhood. In the U.S., the homicide rate is four times that of Quebec. Criminality in Montreal, the metropolis, is low for a large city and has been on a downward trend since 1990. In other regions of Quebec, the number of homicides is even lower.
Benefit from lower costs for housing, food and clothing In Quebec. Health care is free and tuition fees are very affordable. The cost of living in Quebec is one of the lowest in the world among industrialized countries.
Discover an accessible and effective education system that ranks among the most modern in industrialized countries. It is comprised of public and private establishments where teaching is mainly given in French. To stimulate the development of children under the age of 6, day care centers offer services at low cost. Quebec's network of colleges and universities includes both francophone and Anglophones establishments. Many are internationally known and some are affiliated with major research centers. University tuition fees in Quebec are among the lowest in North America. Quebec also offers scholarships based on a student's financial needs to ease access to university.
Participating in recreational activities is a great way to get to know and understand Quebec society. It is also a terrific means of integration into Quebec life. Quebec ers find reasons to congregate and celebrate whatever the season. In spring, for example, sugaring-off is a popular activity. Quebec's national holiday on June 24th marks the beginning of summer, and the time for a host of festivals devoted to music, film, and dance, to name a few. Quebec is one of the few places where you can still find vast and varied natural landscapes, maritime zones, forests, mountains, valleys and fields that extend as far as the eye can see… Everyone can find an outdoor activity to enjoy without having to travel long distances, like camping, hunting, fishing, water sports, hiking and field and day trips of all kinds. Furthermore, a network of well-maintained national and provincial parks makes it easy to appreciate nature. The highly diversified climate and the number of sporting and tourist facilities make it possible to participate in a wide variety of activities. Living outside the Montreal area offers the added advantage of being close to nature, making outdoor activities even more accessible. Throughout Quebec, municipalities are at the heart of community life. They play an important role by providing citizens with facilities like sports complexes, sports fields and playgrounds, public libraries, cultural centers, and so on. Many of these facilities organize seasonal activities throughout the year. Many recent arrivals also enjoy meeting fellow expatriates from their country of origin, for example on the national holiday of that country. These meetings also contribute to integrating into Quebec society. When these events include Quebec ers, each group has the opportunity to learn more about the other. |
