Ces applications facilitent le quotidien des nouveaux arrivants au Québec.
1. Transport and getting around
For getting around Quebec, several apps are essential:
- Transit — best app for public transit: covers STM in Montréal, RTC in Québec City, RTL on the South Shore and most regional networks. Shows real-time bus and metro arrivals.
- Google Maps — for driving, transit or walking navigation across all of Quebec.
- BIXI (Montréal) — locate stations and unlock bikes.
- Waze — popular for driving to avoid traffic and speed cameras.
- Uber / Lyft — available in major Quebec cities.
2. Government and administrative services
For administrative tasks with the Quebec government:
- Mon espace santé — access your medical record and communicate with health professionals.
- clicSÉQUR — authentication portal for many Quebec government online services, including provincial tax returns and Revenu Québec services.
- CRA My Account (Mon dossier pour les particuliers) — access your federal tax file, download your notice of assessment, check refunds.
- Service Canada — access federal services like Employment Insurance and Old Age Security.
- IRCC — federal immigration app to track your immigration status application.
3. Health and emergencies
For health and emergencies in Quebec:
- Bonjour-santé — book appointments at walk-in clinics and some family doctors in Quebec. Most widely used to avoid waiting in clinics.
- Urgences-santé (Montréal) / Urgence Québec — find the nearest emergency room and estimated wait times.
- Alertes Météo Canada — official app for severe weather alerts. Critical in winter for snowstorms and ice warnings.
- Google Translate — for translating medical prescriptions or documents in French.
4. Finances and shopping
For finances and shopping in Quebec:
- Your bank's app — TD, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, National Bank and Desjardins all have robust mobile apps.
- Flipp — view weekly flyers from all grocery stores and pharmacies in your area. Essential for comparing grocery prices and planning shopping.
- Kijiji — main second-hand marketplace in Quebec.
- Walmart, Canadian Tire, IKEA, Jean Coutu apps — follow promotions from major retailers.
- Reebee — alternative to Flipp for grocery flyers.
5. French language and integration
For learning and practicing Quebec French:
- Duolingo — most well-known and accessible French learning app for beginners.
- Anki — flashcard review app that can be used to learn specific Quebec vocabulary.
- Antidote — the reference for Quebec French to check spelling or grammar.
- Radio-Canada OHdio — listen to Radio-Canada radio. Excellent daily exposure to spoken Quebec French — podcasts, news, cultural shows.
6. Frequently asked questions
Common questions newcomers ask about using apps in Quebec.
Are these apps free?
The vast majority are completely free to download and use. Some apps like Antidote offer paid premium features, but the free version covers most everyday needs. Government apps (clicSÉQUR, IRCC, Service Canada) are always free.
Do these apps work in English?
Most apps on this list are available in both French and English. Transit, Google Maps, Flipp and Kijiji offer a full English interface. Government apps (clicSÉQUR, Mon espace santé, CRA My Account) are officially bilingual. However, setting your phone to French is one of the most effective ways to practise the language every day.
Which apps should I install first when I arrive?
In your first weeks, prioritize these three: Bonjour-santé to book clinic appointments without waiting in line, Transit to get around by public transit, and Flipp to compare grocery prices. Once you have a provincial health card and a SIN, you can set up clicSÉQUR and CRA My Account.
Do I need a Quebec address or a SIN to use these apps?
Most apps — Transit, Google Maps, Flipp, Duolingo — require no personal information and can be used from your very first day. Government apps like clicSÉQUR and CRA My Account do require a SIN and a Canadian address to create an account. Bonjour-santé requires your Quebec health card (RAMQ) number.
7. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Home internet in Quebec — how to choose your internet provider.
- Mobile plan in Quebec — how to choose your phone plan.
- Community resources in Quebec — social support and family services.
8. Official sources
- For Quebec government online services: clicsequr.gouv.qc.ca
- For clinic appointments: bonjoursante.ca
Author's Note: the Bonjour-santé app is probably the most important for newcomers. Not having it installed often means waiting hours in a clinic when you could have walked in directly with an appointment booked the day before. Install it in your first weeks and register.
