Immigrating to Quebec: Living in the Laurentians

Are you thinking about moving to Quebec but unsure which region to settle in?

Let’s explore one of Quebec’s 17 administrative regions. If you’re looking to escape the city and discover breathtaking landscapes, the Laurentians might just be the perfect place to call home.”

Some facts about the Laurentians

Geographical location

The Laurentians is a vast region that includes 20 municipalities and two urban centers.

Known for its tourist attractions, the region is highly appreciated by Montrealers who go there to relax. In fact, it is located just 102 km from Montreal and 337 km from Quebec City.

It has a population of 631,592 and covers an area of 20,560 km².

This province is home to one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, located in the northern part of the region. As a result, most of the population is concentrated in the south. The name “Laurentians” actually comes from this mountain range.

With its many wide-open spaces, boredom is not something you’ll experience in the Laurentians. The region is full of activities and places to explore. Whether you enjoy food, culture, or sports, the Laurentians will have something for you.

Activities and leisure

Are you a foodie? You’ll be delighted to discover the Chemin du Terroir, a 226 km marked route that showcases the region’s culinary specialties.

You can also visit the famous Mont-Tremblant Park. The village of the same name is known as one of the 25 best ski villages in the world. Outside of pandemic times, it also hosts the International Blues Festival.

Like most regions in Quebec, the Laurentians are home to a national park where you can hike, windsurf, or go pedal boating.

To explore the region’s towns, you can rent a bike and ride through villages, rivers, lakes, and even forests.

In winter, you can travel by snowmobile or enjoy cross-country skiing. There are also many winter activities to choose from: sledding, snowboarding, skiing, or snowshoeing, with over 40 trails in the region.

The city of Saint-Jérôme

Located just 30 minutes by car from Montreal, Saint-Jérôme is a great place to live.

Whether you’re alone, with a partner, or with family, this city will meet all your expectations.

If you enjoy cultural activities, Saint-Jérôme is recognized as a regional cultural hub. It is home to one of the largest performance halls in the Laurentians: the Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault.

Prefer sports? You’ll love the Parc Régional de la Rivière du Nord, where you can hike, bike, or kayak. In winter, you can snowshoe or cross-country ski.

Birdwatchers will be pleased to know that over 100 bird species can be observed in this park.

The city also offers a wide range of educational institutions, with 29 schools to choose from!

In terms of employment, the city is full of opportunities. Several organizations, such as Cap-Emploi and CIE Emploi, are available to help you find the right job.

Good to know: The city actively supports entrepreneurs and businesses. Its goal is to support companies, encourage job creation, and attract new investors. Financial assistance is also available through the Economic Development Office.

Economy

The Laurentians’ economy is largely focused on construction, a very prominent sector in the region. Manufacturing also represents a significant share of employment, higher than the provincial average in Quebec.

This is a growing region, implementing many strategies to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, including the creation of business incubators.

Job sectors that are hiring

Like many regions, the Laurentians’ economy was impacted by the health crisis, with a loss of 35,500 jobs.

Signs of recovery appeared in the first quarter of 2021, with an unemployment rate of 8%, compared to around 10% in 2020.

In 2020, employment was distributed as follows:

• Primary sector : 1.9 %
• Manufacturing : 12.7 %
• Construction : 10.9 %
• Household services : 23.4 %
• Public sector : 25.3 %
• Core services : 25.8 %

The most in-demand sectors are healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.

To boost the economy, the region aimed to offer 60,000 job openings in 2021.

Looking for a job in Canada? Start by uploading your resume to our Immijob platform.

Immigration

A sign of the region’s appeal: in 2017-2018, the Laurentians had the highest interregional migration rate in Quebec for the seventh consecutive year.

Most immigrants come from France, the United States, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

There are many organizations and services in the region to help immigrants integrate, such as Accès Accueil Action Basses-Laurentides (ABL).

Good to know: The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration recently announced a $2.9 million investment in community organizations to support newcomer integration.

Like other parts of Quebec, the Laurentians is a predominantly French-speaking region.

Francophone education

In the Laurentians, there is a wide selection of schools. You’ll find no fewer than 17 elementary schools and 5 high schools.

For adults, there are three vocational training centers as well as one education center.

If you want your children to receive their education in English, you can choose from three Francophone institutions.

For young students, you’ll be pleased to know that there are two CEGEPs as well as two universities: the UTA (University of the Third Age) and the UQO (Université du Québec en Outaouais).

Which immigration program should you choose?

If you plan to settle in this region, your immigration program will depend on your profile, age, education, and work experience. There are several options.

If you wish to settle permanently, the most popular options among prospective Francophone immigrants remain the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) and the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). Aimed at obtaining permanent resident status, these programs offer immigration pathways for Francophones who want to establish themselves in Quebec.

If you’re instead looking to embark on a temporary adventure, a work permit or study permit (depending on your plans) might be worth considering.

There are many options! For more information, feel free to contact our professionals.

Some unique facts

Wondering what sets this region apart from the rest of Quebec? Here are a few unique features:

The region has over 4,500 lakes and rivers, you’ll never run out of activities or landscapes to explore!

The Laurentian mountain range is one of the oldest geological formations in the world. You’ll be amazed by its breathtaking scenery.

This article was last updated on August 16, 2021.