Everyday Life

Vieauqc TeamYesterday

Everyday Life

Moving: change your address with 7 agencies at once

The Service québécois de changement d'adresse notifies seven departments and agencies in a single free step.

Moving in Quebec also means a long list of people to notify. Good news: for the government side, a single service does the job with several agencies at once. What it is. The Service québécois de changement d'adresse (SQCA) lets you send your new address to seven departments and agencies in a single step, as the Government of Quebec explains. It's free. The seven bodies covered. The SQCA notifies, all at once: Revenu Québec, the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ), the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), Retraite Québec, the Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, the CNESST, and Élections Québec. How to use it. The process is done online, anytime, on the official portal adresse.gouv.qc.ca. Have some identifying information ready (date of birth, social insurance number and, depending on the agency, a file number). Do it as soon as possible after moving — the SAAQ, in particular, must be notified within 30 days. What it does NOT cover. The SQCA only notifies these provincial bodies. You'll still need to separately report your new address to the Canada Revenue Agency and federal services, as well as your bank, employer, electricity provider, insurer, internet company, and so on. The newcomer tip. Updating your address with RAMQ and the SAAQ isn't optional: your health-insurance card and your driving documents must show the correct…

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Vieauqc TeamYesterday

Everyday Life

Mandatory winter tires: what to know before December 1

In Quebec, winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 15. Here's the rule and how to comply.

If you drive in Quebec, a rule unique in North America awaits you this winter: winter tires are mandatory. It's still early in July, but it's worth knowing well before the first snow. The dates. According to the Government of Quebec, your vehicle must be fitted with four winter tires from December 1 to March 15. The tires must be installed by December 1 at the latest — book your garage appointment in November, as shops fill up fast. Which tires qualify. A tire designed for winter must carry the official pictogram (a mountain with a snowflake) or be studded. Since 2014, the "M+S" marking alone is no longer enough. The rule applies to all passenger vehicles registered in Quebec, including rental vehicles. The fine. Driving without compliant winter tires during the mandatory period exposes you to a fine of $200 to $300, on top of the very real risk on the road. Preparing the rest of the vehicle. The SAAQ reminds drivers that beyond tires, a Quebec winter means checking the battery, winter windshield-washer fluid, wiper blades, and keeping an emergency kit in the trunk (scraper, shovel, blanket). The newcomer tip. If you come from a country without snow, don't underestimate the difference: winter tires aren't a luxury but a legal requirement and a safety matter. A set of four is a cost to budget for as soon as you arrive; many drivers also have the garage store them from one…

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Vieauqc TeamYesterday

Everyday Life

Back-to-school 2026: enrolling your child in Quebec

The 2026-2027 year starts in late August. Here's how to enrol a child in public school as a newcomer.

The new 2026-2027 school year is coming up. For elementary and secondary students, classes usually resume in late August, but the exact date varies from one school service centre (centre de services scolaire, or CSS) to another — check your CSS's calendar for the precise date in your area. Who has to attend. In Quebec, school attendance is compulsory, as the Government of Quebec explains, from the year a child turns 6 until the school year in which they turn 16 (or until they earn a diploma). Kindergarten at age 4 exists but is optional. Where to enrol. Registration is done through the school service centre that serves your neighbourhood, not directly at the school. Each CSS has its own online process and dates. Identify the CSS for your address, then follow its admission steps. Documents to prepare. You'll typically need proof of residence, the child's birth certificate (with an official French or English translation if it's in another language), and the immigration documents of the child and parents. Have digital versions (photo or scan) ready, since many CSS register children online. French school and welcome classes. The vast majority of children must attend French-language public school. If your child doesn't speak French yet, they can be placed in a welcome class (classe d'accueil) with language support while they learn. The Settle and integrate in Québec portal…

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