Quebec

[Lobzang]

Hi quick question about sponsoring my husband to Canada. I currently living in Montreal Quebec and plan to hopefully move to ottawa shortly after his arrival or even better just before. He doesnt know any french and I feel this would place a huge extra burden on him on top of all the rest of the stresses that come with immigrating to a completely different country ( he is from a small village in India). So basically my question is do i have to apply through Que or can i just go through Canada? Ahh Quebec.. always the different one lol..
Thanks

 

[Sweden]

If you're currently a resident of Quebec, then you have to follow the process for QUebec ( which is not that different than the one for Canada though). If you already have an address in Ottawa, then you can probably skip the Quebec step - but if you're not sure when you will move to Ottawa, then it's best to apply with your Quebec address, and have the possibility to stay there for a few months when your husband arrives.

Quebec has an "extra step", getting a CSQ (Certificat de Selection du Quebec) but it doesn't delay your application and from what I understand from this forum it's mostly a formality, so it's not a very different process - as spousal immigration is a federal stream.

Sweden

 

[frege]

Hi quick question about sponsoring my husband to Canada. I currently living in Montreal Quebec and plan to hopefully move to ottawa shortly after his arrival or even better just before. He doesnt know any french and I feel this would place a huge extra burden on him on top of all the rest of the stresses that come with immigrating to a completely different country ( he is from a small village in India). So basically my question is do i have to apply through Que or can i just go through Canada? Ahh Quebec.. always the different one lol..
Thanks

As Sweden says, if you're in Quebec when you apply, you need to follow the Quebec process. We actually found the Quebec process simpler because there was no need to submit financial documentation.

If you move from Quebec during processing of the sponsorship application, then you'll have to sign a new undertaking.

5.42. Sponsors who move from Quebec

A sponsor who signed an engagement with the province of Quebec and
subsequently moves from Quebec to another province while their sponsorship
application is in process must sign a new undertaking and agreement.

Source: Manual IP 2

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/ip/ip02-eng.pdf

This statement seems to apply to Stage 1 only. I was unable to find clear guidance as to what happens if you move during processing of the PR application, but after sponsor approval. This is unclear to me.

In any case, you will be completely free to move after he lands, and declares a Quebec address as his address at that time. Also remember that you can easily live in Gatineau and work in Ottawa.

 

[QuebecOkie]

Yep, Québec isn't *that* different. Just one more step - the CSQ - which CIC will prompt you to apply for. Oh, and of course you get to pay an extra $266 to Québec that you don't have to pay in ROC, haha. Merci, Québec!

Though, having been to Montréal numerous times, I'd say not knowing any French isn't much of an issue there. I have an Anglophone Canadian friend who speaks no French, despite having grown up and lived in and around Montréal. It's not an issue for her at all. There are also free French classes available for immigrants through Québec's Ministère de Culture et des Communications.

 

[Lobzang]

Thank you all for your responses. I guess Ill stick in mtl for the duration of the application then and decide what we want after he has landed. Better not to complicate things. As for not speaking french, you can get by yes but it really limits job opportunities and can result in some frustrating moments. I love montreal though dont get me wrong. I really appreciate all the advice

 

[QuebecOkie]

When we first moved, I probably would have given several fingers off my left hand to be able to trade the Saguenay in on Montreal, haha! More often than not, it's impossible to find anyone who can help you in English here, even at a restaurant, a hotel, or a grocery store.

Now...well, I still would rather live in Montreal, as I much prefer a larger city, but I doubt I would have been quite as motivated to learn French, as most people in the service sector in Montreal seem to be bilingual. I would think that not knowing French, OR not knowing English would be barriers to employment in a lot of places in Montreal. All of the wait staff I have met in restaurants there are at least functionally bilingual.

 

[frege]

When we first moved, I probably would have given several fingers off my left hand to be able to trade the Saguenay in on Montreal, haha! More often than not, it's impossible to find anyone who can help you in English here, even at a restaurant, a hotel, or a grocery store.

Now...well, I still would rather live in Montreal, as I much prefer a larger city, but I doubt I would have been quite as motivated to learn French, as most people in the service sector in Montreal seem to be bilingual. I would think that not knowing French, OR not knowing English would be barriers to employment in a lot of places in Montreal. All of the wait staff I have met in restaurants there are at least functionally bilingual.

The people in the western part of Montreal who don't speak English are usually either:

1) immigrants who know French but not English - these are most commonly North Africans and Latinos, but it can be almost any nationality these days (except British, American, etc., of course); or

2) French Canadians from outside Montreal or, occasionally, ones who have lived mostly in the east end.

Even in restaurants you'll find people without any English a good 10 to 20% of the time, I'd say.

Conversely, about 10% of the time in this part of Montreal, you'll find people who don't speak French. These are usually immigrants, especially Filipino, Indian, etc. You'll also find people from the rest of Canada - they're most concentrated around McGill.

 

[Lobzang]

The people in the western part of Montreal who don't speak English are usually either:

1) immigrants who know French but not English - these are most commonly North Africans and Latinos, but it can be almost any nationality these days (except British, American, etc., of course); or

2) French Canadians from outside Montreal or, occasionally, ones who have lived mostly in the east end.

Even in restaurants you'll find people without any English a good 10 to 20% of the time, I'd say.

Conversely, about 10% of the time in this part of Montreal, you'll find people who don't speak French. These are usually immigrants, especially Filipino, Indian, etc. You'll also find people from the rest of Canada - they're most concentrated around McGill.

Thats true. Id say downtown most people are bilingual. In the east end u can find quite a few ppl who either cant or refuse to speak english but in the west island *where im from* majority will be able to speak english, most are bilingual but some may not be able to speak french. Its really the anglo section of montreal and very close to Ontario.