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Everyday Life

Fake calls from 'the tax agency' or 'immigration': how to spot the scam and not pay

The Canada Revenue Agency and IRCC will never ask you to pay by gift card or cryptocurrency, or for your banking details by text. A call that threatens you and demands immediate payment is a scam — hang up.

Vieauqc TeamAugust 23, 2026

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How real agencies behave — and scammers don't. Fraudsters impersonate the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), IRCC, or other public services to get money or information out of…
Why newcomers are targeted. These scams often target people who arrived recently: you are less familiar with how the agencies work, you worry about your immigration…
What to do. Do not pay anything, do not share any information, and hang up. If in doubt, contact the agency yourself using the number shown on its official website —…

How real agencies behave — and scammers don't. Fraudsters impersonate the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), IRCC, or other public services to get money or information out of you. Two simple markers: the CRA will never ask for personal or banking information by text or email, and will never demand payment by Interac e-transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift card, according to the CRA. For its part, IRCC will not phone you to demand a payment or threaten you with removal.

Why newcomers are targeted. These scams often target people who arrived recently: you are less familiar with how the agencies work, you worry about your immigration status, and a language barrier makes the trap harder to spot. Fraudsters play on exactly that.

The red flags. Be wary the moment a call, text, or email: threatens you (the words "police", "prison", "arrest warrant", "deportation" come up often); demands immediate payment; asks you to pay by gift card (iTunes, Amazon), cryptocurrency, or Interac e-transfer; asks for your SIN, bank card number, or a password; or pressures you to act right now. A real agency does none of these things.

The risk. Money sent by gift card or cryptocurrency is almost always impossible to recover, and the information you hand over can be used for identity theft. The loss is not only financial: a compromised identity file is slow to repair.

What to do. Do not pay anything, do not share any information, and hang up. If in doubt, contact the agency yourself using the number shown on its official website — never the number the caller gives you. Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, or online. If you have already paid or shared information, also call your local police service.

Good to know for newcomers. Remember one sentence: no government agency asks for payment by gift card, or for a password by text. When in doubt, hang up and call the official number. Our guide to common scams in Quebec describes the other frequent traps.

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Can't pay your Hydro bill? What to know (and in winter, they don't cut you off)

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Vieauqc TeamAugust 24, 2026

Everyday Life

Can't pay your Hydro bill? What to know (and in winter, they don't cut you off)

Between December 1 and March 31, Hydro-Québec does not cut off electricity for non-payment in a home heated by electricity. And at any time, a payment arrangement beats an ignored bill.

An unpaid bill does not go away if you ignore it. If you cannot pay your electricity account, the worst thing to do is nothing. The good news: you have options, and in winter, an important protection. The reflex to have is simple — contact Hydro-Québec before the due date, not after a notice. In winter, electricity is not cut off for non-payment. This is a protection many people don't know about: between December 1 and March 31, Hydro-Québec does not interrupt service for non-payment in a primary residence heated by electricity, per its Conditions of Service. If your service had already been cut, it is restored on December 1. So you will not spend the winter without heat because of a bill. Careful: the debt is still owed. This protection prevents a winter cut-off, but it does not erase what you owe, and interruptions can resume in early April. Winter is therefore the right time to set up an arrangement — not to stop paying. Set up a payment arrangement. If you expect difficulty,…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Hydro-Québec: Open Your Electricity Account

Vieauqc TeamAugust 22, 2026

Everyday Life

Flu and COVID-19: who can get a free vaccine this fall, and how to book

The flu vaccine is free for the whole population aged 6 months and older; the COVID-19 vaccine is free only for at-risk groups. You book on Clic Santé.

The fall campaign is coming. Every fall, Quebec launches a vaccination campaign against respiratory viruses — mainly the flu (influenza) and COVID-19 — ahead of the season when they spread most. Appointments for the general public usually open in early October; the exact date for this year is announced on Quebec.ca's Seasonal respiratory virus vaccination page. The flu shot: free for everyone. The flu vaccine is offered free of charge to everyone aged 6 months and older who asks for it, according to Quebec.ca. It is especially recommended for people at higher risk of complications: those 65 and over, people with a chronic illness, pregnant women, and young children. COVID-19: free only for certain groups. The COVID-19 vaccine is offered free only to more vulnerable people or those at risk of complications — for example those 65 and over, immunocompromised people, pregnant women, people with a chronic illness, and health-care workers, according to Quebec.ca. Others can still get the…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Register with RAMQ: Get Your Carte Soleil — Newcomer's Guide

Vieauqc TeamAugust 13, 2026

Everyday Life

Online passport scam: charges laid against fake passport services

The Competition Bureau has laid criminal charges against websites that posed as official Government of Canada passport services.

Charges laid. On July 28, 2026, the Competition Bureau of Canada announced that multiple criminal charges had been laid against two Ontario individuals, John Jesse Breslin and Phoebe Hui Ting Wong, as reported in the Bureau's news release. They operated a business under the names Passport Online and Passport Express. How the scam worked. The pair used a website and online advertisements that led customers to believe they were dealing directly with the Government of Canada to obtain or renew their passports quickly. That was not the case. The charges relate to misleading marketing, fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds of crime, for alleged offences between 2016 and 2020. Charges, not convictions. The Bureau notes that these individuals are presumed innocent until a court decides otherwise. The investigation was conducted with help from the Toronto Police Service, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Better Business Bureau. How to protect yourself. Official passport…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Applying for a Canadian Passport in Quebec

Vieauqc TeamAugust 13, 2026

Everyday Life

Online passport renewal: now open to all eligible adults

Since July 28, eligible adults can renew their Canadian passport online, with no cap on the number of applications.

A broader service. On July 28, 2026, the federal government announced that online passport renewal is now available to all eligible adult Canadians. The cap on how many people can renew their passport online has been removed, as explained in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada news release. This is a federal measure, so it applies across Canada, including Quebec. How it works. You submit your renewal application, photo and payment digitally, instead of mailing documents or visiting a Service Canada Centre. The photo must be taken by a commercial photographer, as a digital file. The same processing time. Online renewals follow the same 20-business-day service standard as in-person and mail-in renewals. You can track your application's status in real time. The government also guarantees that applications are processed within 30 business days, or the passport is free. In a hurry? People who need a passport sooner must apply in person at a Service Canada Centre or a…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Applying for a Canadian Passport in Quebec

Vieauqc TeamAugust 13, 2026

Everyday Life

QPP: the retirement pension supplement calculation is delayed

Retraite Québec is calculating the retirement pension supplement later than planned: no action needed, amounts will be paid retroactively.

A delay announced. On July 28, 2026, Retraite Québec announced that the retirement pension supplement of the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) will be calculated later than planned, between the end of July and the end of October, as explained in the notice published on its website. Nothing to do. You don't need to take any action, and Retraite Québec cannot prioritize your file. Once the calculation is done, you will receive a notice of modification by mail. The amounts you are owed will then be paid for the months since January 1, 2026. Who is affected. This delay concerns people who receive the QPP retirement pension and are entitled to the retirement pension supplement — a benefit for modest-income retirees who receive the pension. Why this matters to you. If you were expecting a supplement amount and your payment has not changed, this delay is probably the reason. It is not an error in your file, and you cannot lose your rights: the amounts are retroactive to January 1, 2026. Good to…

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Vieauqc TeamAugust 13, 2026

Everyday Life

Welcome tax 2027: the bracket thresholds are going up

For 2027, the amounts used to set the welcome tax brackets rise to $64,400 and $322,600.

An annual adjustment. On July 31, 2026, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing published the amounts used to set the brackets of the property transfer duty tax base for the 2027 municipal fiscal year, as stated in the official announcement. This Quebec news page is available in French only. What is the welcome tax? The "welcome tax" is the common name for the property transfer duty: a municipal tax paid once by the buyer when purchasing a property in Quebec. Its amount is calculated in brackets on the purchase price, with a higher rate as the price increases. The new thresholds. For 2027, the amounts for the first two thresholds rise from $62,900 to $64,400 and from $315,000 to $322,600 respectively. The indexation rate, published in the Gazette officielle, is 2.4173%. In practice, a slightly larger share of a property's value will be taxed at the lower rate, which eases the tax a little compared with a smaller indexation. What to expect. Each municipality applies its own…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Buying a Home in Quebec

Vieauqc TeamAugust 1, 2026

Everyday Life

Propose Subsidized Housing to PSLQ-Eligible Tenants in Quebec and Secure Up to 5-Year Agreements

Landlords who offer subsidized housing to tenants eligible for the Quebec Rent Supplement (PSLQ) can receive up to $20,000 CAD in damage reimbursement and a three-month rent guarantee if the unit becomes vacant.

The rent percentage: if you rent a subsidized housing unit in Quebec and are eligible for the Quebec Rent Supplement (PSLQ), you pay 25% of your income for your rent. The PSLQ is a provincial program that helps low-income tenants pay their rent. Damage reimbursement: landlords who offer subsidized housing to tenants eligible for the PSLQ can receive up to $20,000 CAD in damage reimbursement. This amount is a protection for landlords in case of damage caused by the tenant. Rent guarantee: if the unit becomes vacant, landlords can also receive a three-month rent guarantee. This means the landlord will be reimbursed for three months of unpaid rent if the unit remains vacant after the departure of a PSLQ-eligible tenant. Maximum agreement duration: the agreement between the landlord and the PSLQ-eligible tenant can last up to five years. This is a maximum duration that offers stability to both parties. Territory of application: this program applies to the entire territory of Quebec,…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Social Housing in Quebec: HLM, PSL, Affordable

Vieauqc TeamJuly 27, 2026

Everyday Life

Electric Scooters in Quebec: 25 km/h Is the Limit

Quebec is relaunching its e-scooter safety campaign. A reminder of the rules for riding legally — speed, age, helmet, and where you can ride.

Electric scooters are everywhere in the city — and they come with rules. The Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable is relaunching its safety campaign this year on motorized personal transportation devices. The main message is simple: on an electric scooter, the maximum allowed speed is 25 km/h. These aren't brand-new rules. They come from a pilot project in place since 2023 that governs the use of these devices in Quebec. This summer's campaign simply reminds people of them, with particular attention to young people aged 14 to 25 — but they apply to everyone. The essential rules for riding legally. Per the July 27, 2026 announcement, on top of the 25 km/h limit, you must: - follow the same traffic rules as cyclists; - be at least 14 years old; - wear a helmet at all times; - carry no passengers; - ride only on roads where the limit is 50 km/h or less, including their bike lanes. Why 25 km/h. The Ministry frames the limit not as a mere constraint but as a concrete way…

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Vieauqc TeamJuly 22, 2026

Everyday Life

Clocks Fall Back on November 1, 2026 in Quebec

Standard time returns overnight October 31 to November 1, 2026. What to do, and where Quebec's debate on ending the switch stands.

The date. This fall, Quebec returns to Eastern Standard Time overnight from Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 1, 2026. At 2 a.m., clocks move back one hour to 1 a.m. Good news for your sleep: you gain an hour that night. The general rule. Quebec follows the North American standard, under which clocks are turned forward on the second Sunday in March and turned back on the first Sunday of November. If you've recently arrived, this is the twice-a-year rhythm nearly all of Canada follows — except Saskatchewan and Yukon, which no longer change their clocks. What actually changes. Most phones, computers and smartwatches adjust automatically. Manual devices — your oven, car, bedside alarm, some thermostats — do not, so set them yourself. Returning to standard time also means darkness falls earlier in the late afternoon. Plan for it in your commute and your lighting at home. A handy safety reminder. Fire departments suggest using the time change to test the batteries in your smoke…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Public Holidays in Quebec

Vieauqc TeamJuly 22, 2026Montreal

Everyday Life

Montreal Snow Removal: How to Avoid Getting Towed This Winter

Orange signs announce snow-clearing. Miss the deadline and your car is towed and ticketed. Here's how it works.

Winter's trap. In Montreal, after a good snowfall the city sends crews to load the snow and haul it away. To clear the streets, it temporarily bans parking — and if your vehicle is still there, it gets towed. It's one of the most expensive surprises for a newcomer with a car. The sign to watch for. Temporary orange signs announce the parking ban during snow-removal operations. They go up a few hours before work begins and take priority over permanent signs. Get in the habit of checking both sides of the street every time you park after a storm. Posting deadlines. As a rule, a sign banning parking from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. goes up the day before, before 8 p.m.; a sign for 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. goes up the same day before 3 p.m. Note that timing varies by borough — in Anjou, for example, signs are posted 8 hours before the ban starts. Read the time and the hours printed on the sign in front of your place. The consequence. If you don't respect the signage in place, your vehicle is towed and…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Surviving the Quebec Winter

Vieauqc TeamJuly 22, 2026

Everyday Life

RAMQ: The Waiting Period and Health Card for Newcomers

Register on arrival, plan for up to three months of waiting, and know who's exempt: the basics of Quebec health insurance.

The starting point. Quebec's health insurance is run by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). It covers much of your medical care, but you're not enrolled automatically when you arrive: you have to apply yourself, and the sooner the better. The waiting period. Most new residents must wait before their coverage begins. In general, you become eligible on the first day of the third month following your arrival — a delay that can run up to about three months. It applies even if you're a Canadian citizen. Who is exempt. Some people are covered as soon as they arrive: this includes minor children and pregnant women. In addition, citizens of countries that have signed a social security agreement with Quebec — such as France or Belgium — can get immediate access, on presentation of proof from their home plan. Protecting yourself during the wait. While the waiting period runs, you are not covered by RAMQ and care can be expensive. It's strongly advised to take out private…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Register with RAMQ: Get Your Carte Soleil — Newcomer's Guide

Vieauqc TeamJuly 28, 2026

Everyday Life

Deposit return: $0.10 or $0.25 per container — and glass joins in 2027

Quebec's deposit system is expanding in three phases. What you're already paying without realizing it, and how to get it back.

You've already paid a deposit — probably without noticing. In Quebec, an amount is added to the price of most beverage containers at purchase, and you get it back when you return the empty. That system is expanding, and the next step has a date on it. How much, exactly. Two amounts: $0.10 for most covered containers, and $0.25 for glass containers of at least 500 ml and no more than 2 litres, according to Consignaction. It isn't a tax: it's a deposit that comes back to you in full when the container is returned. Not returning your containers means leaving that money on the table. Three phases, one still ahead. Per the Quebec environment ministry (French only — the ministry publishes no English version of this page), the expansion happens in stages: - November 1, 2023 — aluminum containers that weren't previously covered (juice cans, sparkling water, and so on) join the beer and soft drink containers already in the system. - March 1, 2025 — all other plastic beverage containers,…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Bottle Deposit and Recycling in Quebec: The Practical Guide

Vieauqc TeamJuly 16, 2026

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…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Change of Address and Mail Forwarding in Quebec

Vieauqc TeamJuly 16, 2026

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,…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Surviving the Quebec Winter

Vieauqc TeamJuly 16, 2026

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…

Read the full story →Go deeper: Quebec's School System

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