Local Resources

Organizations, food banks, thrift stores, and free services across Quebec.

In Quebec, community organizations offer for free: Administrative accompaniment Informal French classes Food aid and clothing Childcare and family support Psychological support and accompaniment Some specialized organizations for immigrants: In Montreal: CARI Saint Laurent, PROMIS, Hirondelle, COFFRET, CSAI In Quebec City: Centre Multiethnique de Québec In Sherbrooke: Service d'aide aux Néo Can...

Where to find free legal advice in Quebec: legal aid, lawyer clinics, Justice Pro Bono and free lawyers for newcomers.

Several free or low cost legal resources exist in Quebec — from legal aid to free legal advice and free lawyer consultations. Before paying a lawyer, explore these options. Legal aid is managed by the Commission des services juridiques. Lawyers paid by the government Eligibility based on your income Show up with proof of income Legal aid works in two tiers. The free tier covers your fees in ful...

The essential Quebec and Canadian government websites: main portals, specialized agencies, online accounts, phone lines and who does what.

Almost all errands pass through an official site. Learning to navigate these sites saves you hours and avoids scams. The 4 main portals: — provincial government — federal government — City of Montreal Your municipality's site (if outside Montreal) Specialized agencies: — health — licence, vehicle — provincial taxes — federal taxes — immigration and citizenship Mon dossier: Mon dossier RAMQ: hea...

Free French courses, a financial allowance, and online registration: everything about Francisation Québec for newcomers.

Francisation Québec is the government service that groups together all free French courses offered to immigrants. It was created in June 2023 by the Ministère de l'Immigration (MIFI). It is today the only official portal to register for a French course in Quebec. A useful distinction so you don't get lost: the MIFI and Francisation Québec are not the same thing. The MIFI is the ministry — the g...

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...

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...

What to do and who to call when everything collapses — the three numbers that unlock help, no status or paperwork needed.

If you're reading this in a moment of panic, start here. Three numbers cover almost every emergency in Quebec — all free, confidential, and requiring no immigration status. 911 — immediate danger: violence, injury, fire, a threat to your life or someone else's. 811 — health and psychological distress: press 1 for Info Santé, 2 for Info Social, which gives psychosocial crisis support, day and ni...

Where to sleep safely tonight: finding a shelter for your situation, what to expect, and how to move out of the emergency.

If you have nowhere to sleep tonight, the fastest and safest way is to dial 211. An agent identifies the nearest shelter for your situation — single man, single woman, family, youth — and tells you how to get there and what time to show up. 211 is free, confidential, in 200+ languages, day and night. If you're in immediate danger — outside in extreme cold, ill, threatened — call 911. If you're ...

The provincial network, no-shame welcome, and the 19 regional Moissons: your map to free food assistance.

In Quebec, hundreds of thousands of people use a food bank each month. Students, families with children, minimum wage workers, seniors, newcomers, people between jobs. Going for help is not a sign of failure — it's exactly why the network exists. The organizations distributing food assistance do so without judgment and without questioning your right to eat. Most ask for no proof of immigration ...

Every life-saving number, sorted by situation — free, confidential, 24/7, often multilingual.

If you, or someone near you, are in immediate danger — a suicide attempt in progress, physical violence, serious injury — call 911 right now. It's free, works from any phone even with no plan, and has no connection to your immigration status. Don't hesitate out of fear of bothering anyone or of consequences: that's exactly what the number is for. The listening lines below are for distress, supp...

Recognizing abuse, free shelters, and the truth about your immigration status if you leave.

If your safety or your children's safety is threatened right now, call 911. The police will respond, regardless of your immigration status and regardless of what you may have been told. To talk to someone, be heard, assess your situation or find a shelter spot, call SOS violence conjugale at 1 800 363 9010: free, confidential, anonymous and bilingual, 24/7. Workers can even call a shelter for y...

ACEFs across Quebec offer free budget consultations, debt help and consumer-rights defence.

When money is tight, when you feel overwhelmed by bills, or when you no longer know how to build a budget in a new country, there's free, judgment free help: ACEFs. An ACEF (association coopérative d'économie familiale) is a community organization specialized in personal finances and consumer rights. There's one in almost every region of Quebec. They help you build a budget, understand your deb...

When debt becomes unmanageable: the difference between a consumer proposal and bankruptcy, and who to talk to.

Falling into debt can happen to anyone, especially early in life in Quebec: underestimated cost of living, job loss, a family emergency. If you can no longer pay your debts, know two things. First, you're not alone, and it's not a crime. Second, Canadian law provides regulated solutions for a fresh start, so you're not a prisoner of your debts for life. This guide explains the two main ones — t...

How to get care without a RAMQ card: the Interim Federal Health Program for asylum seekers, and clinics for people with no coverage at all.

In Quebec, much care runs through the RAMQ health insurance card. But not everyone qualifies right away: asylum seekers, people awaiting status, or those without status may find themselves with no card. If that's you, don't give up on care. There are programs and clinics precisely for you. This guide explains the two main routes: the Interim Federal Health Program for asylum seekers, and clinic...

Specialized job-search organizations in Montréal by profile — newcomers, anglophones, women, professionals — and who to contact first.

In Montreal, several organizations offer professional and entirely free job search help. The catch is that not all of them serve the same audience. Picking the right one from the start saves you weeks: an internationally trained professional doesn't need the same support as a woman returning to the workforce after an extended break. This guide groups them by specialty: Newcomers and immigrants ...

The free services that support newcomers in their job search in Québec City — organizations, Services Québec, and where to start.

Job hunting in a new country means relearning everything: résumé format, interview codes, how to apply, recognition of your experience. Good news: in Québec City, free services support newcomers at every step. Service type Organization Specialty For whom Professional integration Immigration focused NPO Credential recognition, skilled employment Recent immigrants General placement Carrefour jeun...

The free services that support newcomers in their job search in Laval — Perspective Carrière, the CIL, Services Québec.

Finding a job in Laval when you come from elsewhere means relearning local codes: résumé, interview, network, recognition of your experience. Good news: free services support newcomers at every step. Service type Organization Specialty For whom Professional integration Immigration focused NPO Credential recognition, skilled employment Recent immigrants General placement Carrefour jeunesse emplo...

The free services that help newcomers toward employment in Gatineau — SITO, CJEO, Services Québec — and how to weigh working in Ottawa.

Gatineau has a unique advantage: two job markets within reach — Quebec's and Ottawa's, just across the river. To navigate them, the Outaouais has free services that help newcomers toward employment. Service type Organization Specialty For whom Professional integration Immigration focused NPO Credential recognition, skilled employment Recent immigrants General placement Carrefour jeunesse emploi...

Francisation Québec, community organizations, conversation cafés: every free way to learn French in Montreal.

In Montreal, you do not need to pay to learn French. Three avenues coexist and complement one another: The government route — , which funds formal courses (full time, part time, or online) with a possible allowance for eligible learners. Neighbourhood community organizations — courses that are often less formal, in small groups, sometimes with childcare for parents. Informal practice — librarie...

Where to learn French for free in Québec City — Francisation Québec, welcome organizations, CÉGEPs — and how to register.

In Québec City, almost everything happens in French: work, school, services, neighbourhood life. Learning French is the best investment for your integration and your job. Good news: there are free courses, state funded, for all levels. Pathway Program Paid? Intensity For whom Government Francisation Québec (MIFI) Yes (if eligible) Full time or part time Permanent + eligible temporary immigrants...

Where to learn French for free in Laval — Francisation Québec, Carrefour d'intercultures, Collège Montmorency — and how to register.

In Laval, French opens doors: work, children's school, services, social life. And you don't have to pay to learn it: the state funds free courses for all levels, and Laval organizations offer friendly practice. Pathway Program Paid? Intensity For whom Government Francisation Québec (MIFI) Yes (if eligible) Full time or part time Permanent + eligible temporary immigrants School board School boar...

Where to learn French for free in Gatineau and the Outaouais — Francisation Québec, APO, AFIO, Cégep de l'Outaouais — and how to register.

In Gatineau, it can be tempting to do everything in English because of Ottawa, just across the river. But you live in Quebec: French remains essential for local jobs, services, school and integration. The state funds free courses for all levels, and the Outaouais has its own francization organizations. Pathway Program Paid? Intensity For whom Government Francisation Québec (MIFI) Yes (if eligib...

Where to learn French for free in Sherbrooke and the Estrie — Francisation Québec, SANC, the Cégep and Université de Sherbrooke — and how to register.

In Sherbrooke, French is the language of work, study and daily life. Learning it is the best accelerator of your integration, and you don't have to pay for it: the state funds free courses for all levels, and the Estrie has a solid welcome network. A few hours a week, kept up over time, are enough to transform your daily life in this French speaking city. Pathway Program Paid? Intensity For who...

Where to learn French for free in the Saguenay — Francisation Québec, SANA Saguenay-Le Fjord, Cégep de Chicoutimi — and how to register.

The Saguenay Lac Saint Jean is a deeply French speaking region: here, French isn't an option, it's the everyday language. That's also an opportunity: you're immersed in French constantly, which speeds up learning. And free courses, state funded, exist for all levels. Pathway Program Paid? Intensity For whom Government Francisation Québec (MIFI) Yes (if eligible) Full time or part time Permanent...

Where to go in Montreal by need: paperwork, jobs, housing, family — free organizations, sorted.

In Montreal, dozens of organizations help newcomers free of charge. Rather than naming them all, this guide groups them by need: Paperwork and settlement — for your papers and your move in Employment — to find work Housing — to find a home and defend your rights Family — for your children and family life Good to know: many organizations (such as CSAI, L'Hirondelle or CARI) help on several front...

The free organizations welcoming newcomers in Québec City — settlement, French, employment — and where to start.

Québec City welcomes more and more newcomers, and organizations funded by the Ministère de l'Immigration support them for free: welcome, settlement, French, job search, housing. These services are free and confidential, and open to all newcomers — permanent residents, temporary workers and students, and refugees. You don't need to speak French to be welcomed: it's often by helping you with your...

The free organizations that welcome and support newcomers in Laval — settlement, French, employment — and where to start.

Settling in a new city is heavy: paperwork, housing, French, work, children's school. Good news: in Laval, organizations funded by the Ministère de l'Immigration welcome immigrants for free and support them at every stage. These services are free, confidential, and open regardless of status in many cases. This guide presents Laval's main organizations, by type of need. For general welcome and s...

The free organizations welcoming newcomers in Gatineau and the Outaouais — settlement, French, employment — with a note on working in Ottawa.

Gatineau has a particularity: it's just across the river, facing Ottawa, Ontario. Many newcomers live and work on both sides. For welcome and integration, the Outaouais has its own network of organizations funded by the Ministère de l'Immigration — free and confidential. Accueil Parrainage Outaouais (APO) supports immigrants at every step: orientation and procedures, temporary housing, informat...

The free organizations welcoming newcomers in Longueuil and the South Shore — settlement, French, integration — and how to start.

Longueuil and the South Shore welcome many newcomers, and organizations funded by the Ministère de l'Immigration are there to support them for free: paperwork, housing, French, social and professional integration. No need to figure it all out alone or pay for everything. Carrefour le Moutier has supported immigrants in their settlement and integration steps for decades. On the settlement side, ...

Sherbrooke and the Estrie's free welcome network — settlement, French, employment — built around the Service d'aide aux Néo-Canadiens.

Sherbrooke, in the Estrie, has a long tradition of welcoming immigrants. The local network, funded by the Ministère de l'Immigration, offers free settlement help, French courses, employment support and integration support. The Service d'aide aux Néo Canadiens (SANC) has welcomed and supported immigrants in the Estrie in their socio economic integration since 1954. Mandated by the Ministère de l...