Province-wide guides

Used, new or lease: checks, real price, financing, warranty and SAAQ transfer.

A new car costs more and loses value fast in its first years. Its real advantages: Full warranty from the manufacturer No unknown history: no hidden accident, no debt Reliability and recent technology For a first vehicle on arrival, many newcomers choose used. New makes sense if you plan to keep the car for many years. Private seller: lower price, but no warranty and more risk Dealer: higher pr...

Why there are no spirits at the grocery store, how late you can buy, and what you may actually bring to a BYOW restaurant.

This is one of the most common blind spots for newcomers. You are planning a dinner, you stop at the grocery store, and you look for a bottle of rum or vodka. You will not find it. Not because the store is poorly stocked — because the law forbids it. In Quebec, the state controls alcohol sales, and the rules resemble those of almost nowhere else you have probably lived. Where to buy what, until...

The best free apps to simplify daily life in Quebec — transit, government, health, finances and more.

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 t...

Scams targeting newcomers in Quebec: fake CRA or IRCC calls, fake bank emails, text and Interac scams, job and housing fraud, and how to report them.

The « threatening CRA » scam: a fake agent calls about an invented debt. Signs: arrest threats, immediate payment demanded in gift cards or Bitcoin. The real CRA NEVER does this. Hang up immediately. Variation targeting immigrants: a fake Service Canada or IRCC agent threatens deportation. The Canadian government never calls to threaten or demand immediate payment. Hang up. Real agencies follow...

SAAQ for injuries, private insurer for the car — understanding the hybrid system.

Quebec has a hybrid system: SAAQ (public): covers bodily injuries of ALL drivers (regardless of fault) Private insurance: covers damage to the car (collision, theft, etc.) You pay the SAAQ via your annual registration fees Civil liability insurance is mandatory: Legal minimum: $50,000 Recommended: $1 to $2 million (cost difference is minimal) Without insurance: severe fine + licence suspended O...

Finding a good hair salon in Quebec — price ranges, local conventions, cultural differences to know and tips for communicating your needs in a French-language salon.

Haircut prices in Quebec vary considerably by salon type, city, and services requested: Service Typical price range Men's haircut (barbershop / standard salon) $20–40 Women's haircut (standard salon, no colour) $30–60 Upscale salon (central Montréal neighbourhoods) $60–120+ Colouring / highlights $80–200+ depending on complexity Blow dry / styling $30–60 Customary tip: 15–20% — to be added to t...

Using Uber Eats, DoorDash, Skip and SkipTheDishes in Quebec — platform comparison, fees to know, tipping, money-saving tips and finding the best local restaurants.

Three major platforms in Quebec: Uber Eats, DoorDash and Skip (SkipTheDishes). Each platform has its own partner restaurants — some are exclusive to one platform, others appear on all three. Pro tip: ordering directly from the restaurant (by phone or their own website) is often cheaper — no platform service fees. The price shown in a delivery app is almost always lower than what you'll actually...

How bottle deposits work in Quebec, what goes in recycling bins, how to compost and avoid errors that contaminate recycling.

The bottle deposit (consigne) is a refundable deposit on certain beverage containers — you pay it at purchase and get it back when you return the empty container. Current deposit amounts (Consigne Plus): 10 cents for most targeted containers (cans, plastic, small containers) 25 cents for glass containers 500 ml and over (wine bottles, large beer bottles) Consigned containers: beer bottles and c...

Why credit matters, how to get a first card (secured or newcomer) and build your score.

In Canada, your credit history influences almost everything: Renting an apartment Getting a credit card with a good limit Financing a car Buying a home The credit score in Canada: 300 – 599: poor (few options) 600 – 659: fair 660 – 724: good 725 – 900: excellent (best rates) Five factors: 1. On time payments (most important) 2. Utilization rate: under 30% of your limit 3. Age of accounts 4. Typ...

Comparing online grocery delivery services in Quebec — IGA online, Maxi, Instacart, Goodfood and alternatives — fees, delays, money-saving tips.

Online grocery delivery has grown considerably in Quebec in recent years. Main options: Service Type Notes IGA en ligne Direct supermarket delivery Order online, delivery 1–2 days or same day in store pickup Maxi / Provigo Direct supermarket delivery Available in most of Montréal and suburbs Instacart Third party delivery (multiple stores) Delivery in 1–2 hours; shops at various stores Goodfood...

Grocery shopping in Quebec: comparing IGA, Metro, Maxi and Super C, how to save money, and where to find international products.

The Quebec market is dominated by three big groups: Loblaws: Provigo (premium), Maxi (discount) Sobeys: IGA (premium) Metro Inc.: Metro (premium), Super C (discount) Each group occupies both the quality niche and the discount niche, with two distinct banners — a strategy to capture both affluent shoppers and price conscious ones. Quality grocers (higher prices): IGA, Metro, Provigo Wide selecti...

How to grow tomatoes, herbs and vegetables on a Quebec balcony — when to plant, how to choose the right containers and avoid beginner mistakes.

Balcony gardening is very popular in Quebec, particularly in Montréal. Having a few pots of cherry tomatoes, basil, parsley or mint on your balcony is common and accessible even for complete beginners. Key climate constraint: the growing season is short — from late May to October — and winters are too harsh for anything to survive outside. But in those five months, a lot is possible. Quebec's p...

Quebec's statutory holidays, provincial and federal: which are paid, what closes (stores, banks, SAQ) and your rights if you work that day.

In Quebec: 8 provincial public holidays per year Plus a few federal public holidays (banks and federal government) All employees are entitled to the 8 provincial ones as paid leave The 8 provincial holidays: 1. January 1 — New Year's Day 2. Good Friday or Easter Monday (employer's choice) 3. The Monday before May 25 — National Patriots' Day 4. June 24 — Quebec National Holiday 5. July 1 — Canad...

The Quebec media landscape — TV, press, radio, podcasts — and what to watch at each level to learn.

Following Quebec media helps you: Understand local culture and politics Learn the spoken French of Quebec (different from standard French) Follow the news that affects your daily life Radio Canada: ICI Radio Canada Télé: news, shows ICI Première: talk radio Tou.tv: free streaming The major dailies: La Presse (free online): mainstream journalism, quality Le Devoir (paid): intellectual, more left...

Finding the right tools, materials and services for home maintenance and repairs in Quebec — Home Depot, Réno-Dépôt, BMR, tool rental and lease rules.

Quebec has several major hardware store chains: Chain Notes Home Depot Giant chain, large selection, many Montréal locations Réno Dépôt Quebec French language version of Home Depot, same parent company, similar selection BMR Quebec cooperative, more present in mid sized cities and regions; smaller stores, known for personalized service Rona Another major Canadian chain present in Quebec Indepen...

Clothing, transport, housing, and health to get through winter without suffering.

Quebec winter lasts about 5 months (November to April). Temperatures: −15 to −30 °C, sometimes lower with windchill Snowstorms are frequent Short days (sunrise around 7:30, sunset around 16:30 in December) The most important investment: Coat rated for −30 °C, with hood and fur trim ($200 to $600) Winter boots, waterproof, with non slip soles Reliable brands: Kanuk, Canada Goose, North Face, Col...

How to use public transit in Quebec — STM, RTC, RTL, exo — fares, passes and the right habits for getting around without a car.

Quebec has a well developed public transit network in its major cities, but very limited coverage in rural areas. Each region has its own transit agency: STM in Montréal, RTC in Québec City, RTL in Longueuil, STL on Montréal's north shore, and the exo network for distant suburbs and commuter trains. For travel between cities, Flixbus, Orléans Express and Via Rail serve the main routes. If you l...

Where to find ingredients from your home country in Quebec: African, Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin American grocers, ethnic markets and online orders.

Montréal is extraordinarily food diverse. Thanks to successive waves of immigration, you can find ingredients from virtually every country in the world — Ethiopian spices, rare Asian vegetables, Latin, African, Middle Eastern and Caribbean products. Key neighbourhoods for international food: Côte des Neiges — Montréal's most cosmopolitan neighbourhood; extraordinary international food selection...

Buying second-hand in Quebec: garage sales, thrift stores, Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace to furnish and equip your home for less.

In Quebec, buying and selling second hand items is deeply embedded in local culture. It's a normal, valued practice across all income levels, encouraged by growing environmental consciousness. For a newcomer who needs to furnish an empty apartment, the second hand market is an extraordinary opportunity to save several thousand dollars. On July 1st (Montréal's massive moving day), hundreds of pi...

Bringing or adopting a pet in Quebec: what it costs, how to find an affordable vet, municipal rules and resources if the budget is tight.

Pets are part of the daily life of many Quebec families — dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and fish are the most common. Quebec has clear rules on animals in apartments, breeds banned in certain cities, mandatory sterilization in some boroughs, and the requirement to keep dogs on leash in public spaces. For newcomers who want to bring their pet or adopt one, this guide covers the essentials: arrival ...