Quebec Residency

[kb07]

Hello everyone!!!

My boyfriend and I are planning to move from Vancouver to Montreal this summer. We are awaiting his permanent residency for Canada (not specifically quebec as I am not from there), which we expect will be approved any day now.. fingers crossed.

Anyways, we want to move to Montreal because my boyfriend is bilingual (french being his mother tongue), a change from the ever expensive west coast, new culture, new oppurtunities, education and my want to learn the french language (which will never happen for me in Vancouver).

With these reasons we have decided to road trip across canada this summer and try something new...but having made this decision many questions have come up.....since I am english speaking, trying to learn french, what are my chances of finding work (I work with disabled people in vancouver now) and I would like to go back to school (upgrade science courses in the beginning) , and eventually study nursing can I do this when I am not a permanent quebec resident. My boyfriend has a degree in Agronomy from Belgium...what are his chances of finding work?

If anyone could comment on their experiences in Montreal, moving there, working, going to school there etc. I would greatly appreciate it!!

Cheers!

KB

 

[Hnhkrk]

Without french, finding a job in Quebec will be difficult. It's not impossible, but it's difficult. You will not be able to work with the general public without french, so your job opportunities are limited. However, the good news is that Montreal has many Anglo area within it's borders.

I have been residing in Montreal for a year now without any French classes, and I've done alright when it comes to getting around. A lot of people here speak English as a second language, and most students speak it fluently. I haven't been able to work until now because I didn't have my PR until this week, but I was able to find a nice veterinarian to volunteer at for the time being. Sherbrooke Ouest is known for it's anglophone population, as is Mont-Royal (and if you're going to have a car, the West Islands are dominantly English). A lot of people posts ads on Kijiji for personal assistants and so one. There is also a wonderful organizations called Emploi-Quebec that will help you find a job and even aid you in taking french courses.

You are able to go to School in Montreal without being a Quebec Resident. There are two English Universities in Montreal, Concordia and McGill. Both require that you take a language placement test, and both offer really nice French classes.

I'm unsure about how it will work with you boyfriend, but here is what I assume: Your boyfriend will have to have all of his degree and certifications transferred to Quebec, and after that he'll be eligible. I'm not 100% sure though. Perhaps someone else could help you with this.

My experience with Montreal has been beyond positive. I love the people here, and I love the mind set here. Everything is just wonderful.


Good Luck!

xxxxxx.

 

[costaudjoe]

Basically west of Décarie you stand your best chances of finding work.

Just to add that McGill and Concordia's French programs are most likely non-credit and therefore mucho $$$$. You can look into UQAM or U de M and apply to a credit program and possibly even pay Quebec rates (I seem to remember that learning French is exempt from the Canada rate of tuition). I moved here from Alberta and I think it is important to point out that you can only get your Carte de soleil (healthcare card) when you demonstrate that you have lived here for a year AND during that year you weren't a full time student.

 

[Hnhkrk]

Basically west of Décarie you stand your best chances of finding work.

Just to add that McGill and Concordia's French programs are most likely non-credit and therefore mucho $$$$. You can look into UQAM or U de M and apply to a credit program and possibly even pay Quebec rates (I seem to remember that learning French is exempt from the Canada rate of tuition). I moved here from Alberta and I think it is important to point out that you can only get your Carte de soleil (healthcare card) when you demonstrate that you have lived here for a year AND during that year you weren't a full time student.

The french course I'm going to be taken is creditable.

 

[costaudjoe]

Is it at McGill or Concordia?

 

[Hnhkrk]

Is it at McGill or Concordia?

I'm going to Dawson first.

 

[kb07]

Thanks for the replies everyone! We are doing tons of research still to see if it is the best fit for us! I have a question about the medi care card though....if you can't have medical coverage for a year...what are you supposed to do for coverage? I am a bc resident now and my boyfriend will be a pr soon coming to bc...so does this mean we have to get private medical coverage??? Thanks!!

And I am currently in Belgium visiting my boyfriend so am already beyond the beginners stage of learning french and am continuing classes in Bc over the next 3 months before montreal...so hopefully I will feel slightly okay with my speaking skills! Thanks!

 

[costaudjoe]

When I moved here I never had the problem. So I am not totally sure, but my understanding was either Quebec bills you and you get reimbursed by BC or Quebec bills BC directly. In any case you are covered. No need for health insurance.

PS European French and Quebec French are quite different (think Canadian English and Scottish English). Some Europeans (ie French, Swiss, and Belgians) are quite taken aback when they come here for the first time. It might not be a bad idea to get your partner to watch some Quebec TV shows and movies to ease the culture shock.

 

[Hnhkrk]

PS European French and Quebec French are quite different (think Canadian English and Scottish English). Some Europeans (ie French, Swiss, and Belgians) are quite taken aback when they come here for the first time. It might not be a bad idea to get your partner to watch some Quebec TV shows and movies to ease the culture shock.

^^^^ This Cannot be more true! Taking French classes is going to help you, but you're going to have to adjust to the accent here.

 

[costaudjoe]

I'm going to Dawson first.

Are you sure about that? MICC courses are not typically credited.

As far as the OP is concerned it isn't a possibility for her since MICC courses are for landed immigrants only. As for regular Canadians there are other options.

 

[Hnhkrk]

Are you sure about that? MICC courses are not typically credited.

As far as the OP is concerned it isn't a possibility for her since MICC courses are for landed immigrants only. As for regular Canadians there are other options.

OH! I'm sorry! I was confused!

The courses that I'm going to be taking through the MICC aren't going to give me school credit. They're a totally separate thing. I knew that she wouldn't be eligible for them since they're only for landed immigrants, so that wasn't what I was talking about.

However, the french courses I'm going to be taking for my degree come January will be giving me school credit. I thought that you were saying that they wouldn't. If she went to school and took a french class (Which, I'm sure that they would require her to) she would get credit for them and she would learn french at the same time.

She can also get french courses through Emploi-Quebec. Actually, the french courses Emploi-Quebec put people through at the same ones that the MICC puts you through. I believe that you have to pay a fee with Emploi-Quebec though. And you're not eligible for aid.

 

[costaudjoe]

Ok I see.

It is kind of funny that Canadians have to pay. It almost seems discriminatory or at the very least discouraging for Canadians.

BTW I live close to Dawson, I walk by there on the way to work.

 

[Hnhkrk]

Ok I see.

It is kind of funny that Canadians have to pay. It almost seems discriminatory or at the very least discouraging for Canadians.

BTW I live close to Dawson, I walk by there on the way to work.

I'm not sure if Canadians have to pay. I'm sure that I could find a french program if I looked for it. Especially under the new government, who doesn't even want us to use the word 'Pasta'.

And that's really cool! I live in the Villeray Area. Off of Papineau and Jean-Talon. Fabre metro.

 

[QuebecOkie]

Ok I see.

It is kind of funny that Canadians have to pay. It almost seems discriminatory or at the very least discouraging for Canadians.

BTW I live close to Dawson, I walk by there on the way to work.

I do think it would be nice if free french classes were offered to all newcomers to Québec, Canadian and immigrant alike. I know many anglophone spouses up here (military community) who would LOVE to have full-time french classes, but they are Canadians, so the only options for them are rather expensive. I think all anglophones who come to Québec are immigrants, haha.

Good luck with your move, Hnhkrk! I really enjoy the Montreal area any time we make it down that way. I have nothing helpful to add about work or anything, but it's very easy to get around in Montreal with English and a little bit of bad French.

 

[costaudjoe]

I have a colleague who lives up there (Villeray). He was telling me it is the new Plateau. Montreal real estate is getting out of control.

Ahhhhh the PQ government. Pauline Marois is digging her own grave. There is a growing shift to Option nationale. This means that the already weak separatist vote is now fractured.

On top of which, she is slashing and burning to get down to deficit zero. This does not bode well in a province that is typically left of centre.