What Skilled Workers Are Needed in Quebec?

Thousands of jobs are in demand in Quebec, such as accountants, architects, bank managers, carpenters, civil engineers, computer and information systems managers, data scientists, electrical engineers, engineering managers, financial analysts, heavy equipment operators, manufacturing managers, marketing managers, registered nurses, software developers/engineers, and welders – among many others!

Skilled workers are needed in Quebec for thousands of high-demand jobs in various sectors of the economy, including accounting, banking/finance, business, construction, education, engineering, healthcare, information technology and manufacturing. The foreign workers who are selected for immigration to Quebec must generally have a qualifying in-demand occupation, intermediate French language skills, relevant education and work experience, and must have a genuine desire to live and work in Quebec long-term. Previously living in Quebec (for example, as an international student or temporary worker), having family who currently live in Quebec, knowing the English language and being married with children are all pluses. 

In order to become a skilled worker in Quebec, a foreign national must have a job in demand in Quebec, the necessary education, relevant work experience, intermediate French language abilities, a genuine desire to live and work in Quebec, and satisfy all of the criteria of the Quebec immigration agency and the Canadian immigration agency, including possessing good health and good character. The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP/RSWP) uses a points system and at least 50 points are needed if you are single or 59 points are required if you have a spouse/partner (points can be received for various factors). The general procedure to become a skilled worker in Quebec through the QSWP is to file an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Quebec immigration agency and if selected, apply to the Canadian immigration agency for permanent residency in Canada.  

It is relatively easy to get a job since skilled workers are needed in Quebec, however, you will need to be authorized to legally live and work in Quebec. This means first of all that you are approved for the relevant Canadian immigration or visa program. Furthermore, if your occupation is regulated in Quebec, you will need to get certified or licensed to work in Quebec in that profession (an example would be a registered nurse). Quebec is a mostly French-speaking province, so you will generally need to have good French language abilities (many Quebec residents know both French and English). There are several websites where you can search for jobs in demand in Quebec. A good place to start is the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, which is accessible in French or English.

Many jobs in Quebec pay well, such as accountant, bank manager, civil engineer, computer and information systems manager, electrical engineer, engineering manager, financial analyst, human resources manager, manufacturing manager, marketing manager, pharmacist, physician, project manager, psychologist, registered nurse, secondary school teacher, software developer/engineer, university professor and others. Furthermore, the cost of living in Quebec is relatively low compared to other provinces in Canada, so combined with a good salary, this makes it easier to enjoy a high quality of life. 

Whether it is a good idea to move to Quebec is a personal choice that only you can make. Quebec is a good place to live in Canada for French-speakers; there is generally a high quality of life; the cost of living and housing in Quebec is lower than in other parts of Canada; Quebec has the second strongest economy in Canada (after Ontario); the province consistently has one of Canada’s lowest unemployment rates and has thousands of job openings available; Quebec is a good location to raise families; and there is a unique French-Canadian charm.   

Yes, foreigners can work in Quebec if they have authorization to do so legally. Quebec is seeking new permanent residents as well as temporary foreign workers. In general, a foreign worker (permanent or temporary) should have a job in demand in Quebec along with the necessary education and work experience, plus possess good French language abilities. In addition to being approved for the relevant Canadian immigration or visa program, foreign workers whose occupation is regulated in Quebec (such as registered nurses) will also need to get certified and/or licensed to work in Quebec in that regulated profession.  

Most people who live and work in Quebec earn a yearly salary in the range of about $40,000 CAD to around $60,000 CAD. Quebec generally has a low cost of living and housing is not as expensive as other places in Canada, so a worker’s salary can stretch further living in Quebec. Keep in mind that the salary needed to live in Quebec comfortably will be affected by how many people are in your household, where you live, your lifestyle preferences and other variables.

Whether a job offer is required for Quebec immigration depends on the particular program a foreign worker is applying for. The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP/RSWP) does not require a job offer, although points can be received which might help an applicant to reach the required 50 points if single or 59 points needed with a spouse/partner. The Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for Workers in Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology or Visual Effects does require a qualifying job or job offer in Quebec.

Yes, $50,000 CAD per year is basically a good salary in Quebec, particularly since the cost of living and housing is relatively less expensive compared with elsewhere in Canada. Nonetheless, whether $50,000 CAD per year is a good salary for you will depend on how many people are in your household, where you live in Quebec, lifestyle preferences and other factors.