Quebec

The mixture of French and British traditions in Quebec creates a unique challenge for international business travelers. The founding of modern Canada in 1867 included limited provisions for the use of the English and French languages in provincial legislatures. The creation of the Charter of the French Language in 1977 made French the official language of Quebec with provisions for secondary signage in English.

Your experiences in Quebec will be made easier with a passing knowledge of French. Shop owners, hoteliers and business owners who support the protection of French culture may speak limited English. Public signs may be displayed in French and English but shop windows and private businesses are not required to adhere to this rule. You can use a French dictionary and an introductory CD on the French language to prepare for a trip to Quebec.

The best way to deal with bilingualism in Quebec during any trip is to find a common ground with the resident you are speaking with. Cab drivers and others involved in the tourist industry know enough English to find a quick method of communications. This approach to informal communication is only possible if you leave yourself enough time and know where you are going in Quebec.

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There are multiple public transit options for visitors to Quebec who are unfamiliar with city streets. The province's capital, Quebec City, features various roads, buses and railways to help business travelers get to meetings. The busing system in Quebec City is run by the Reseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) that has routes throughout the entire city. Your experience on the RTC bus routes depends on where you are heading. The routes to provincial buildings and the heart of Quebec City are well funded while peripheral routes are spotty in terms of reliability.

The Gare du Palais acts as the central hub for public transit in Quebec City. This bus and train station is similar to stations in Montreal and other provincial centers in terms of its services. The RTC bus lines run through the Gare du Palais in addition to commuter buses from other Quebec cities. The VIA train system stops in Quebec City through Gare du Palais to provide regional transportation for international travelers who need to have access to neighboring cities.

Quebec City connects to the rest of the province through a variety of provincial roads. Autoroute 40 provides a connection to Montreal and other cities for motorists. The Autoroute de la Capitale and the Autoroute Charest cut from north through south of Quebec City to cover the full expanse of Quebec. Most business travelers use a combination of the three public transit options during their travels in Quebec.

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Cities big and small throughout Quebec offer a glimpse at French culture to business travelers exhausted by cookie cutter hotels. There is plenty of Canadian and international chain hotels in Montreal, Quebec City and elsewhere for budget travelers. If you are given a choice by your employer about your choice of accommodations, you need to check out some of the smaller hotels and bed and breakfasts throughout Quebec.

Montreal is a city of contrasts and double identities for uninitiated business travelers. This city is the second largest in Canada but offers boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts and other accommodations that would look familiar to travelers in smaller cities. The bustling streets and swarm of professionals throughout Montreal hide a quieter side of the city that is perfect for travelers who need to get reports done from the comforts of their room. Depending on your home currency, Montreal's hotels can be quite affordable compared to similar offerings in Toronto or New York City.

Your business trip may take you to smaller municipalities in Quebec for meetings, presentations and proposals. You can find quaint French inns and hotels in cities like Laval, Brossard and Levis for a premium price. It is important to know your budget limits and possess willingness to haggle with innkeepers on nightly rates. The province of Quebec offers plenty of non-chain options if you want a place to rest your head and get some work done.

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There are two major international airports in Quebec that serve business travelers throughout the world on a daily basis. Quebec City's Jean Lesage International Airport is a simple international airport that is in the process of renovation to bring the terminal into the 21st century. This airport serves dozens of Canadian airlines as well as flights from the United States, Mexico and France. This airport is preferable for travelers who need direct access to the provincial government as well as businesses headquartered in Quebec City.

The Pierre-Elliot Trudeau International Airport in Montreal is the point of entry most familiar to business travelers in Quebec. This airport is one of the busiest in Canada and serves a higher number of airlines than Jean Lesage International Airport. Trudeau International Airport has state-of-the-art facilities including hangers capable of handling Airbus' new A380 jet that will be used by European airlines in the near future. Business travelers should use Trudeau International Airport as a primary option for all trips outside of Quebec City in the province due to more reasonable prices.

Quebec offers a multitude of regional airports if you are searching for a specialty flight to cities inside and outside of the province. The Drummondville Airport provides service for charter flights in southern Quebec. Flights from Air Inuit in northwestern Canada are served by Akulivik Airport in the indigenous part of northern Quebec. There are dozens of airports throughout the province that serve specific types of travelers uncovered by international airports.

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There are plenty of distractions in the province of Quebec to keep you from getting your work done. Once it is time to get down to business, there are an equal number of options to help you finish a report or a presentation. Quebec City, Laval and other cities feature conference centers that allow you to rent out space with all of the business technologies you will need. You can spend an hour in a conference room spreading out your draft report, printing off documents and practicing a speech in peace and quiet.

Quebec is a haven for higher education in Canada and you can use those resources for your business needs. There are plenty of universities like McGill, Bishop's University and Concordia with an English focus that have outstanding libraries for public use. You can utilize Francophone universities like Universite de Montreal and the Institut national de la recherché scientifique (INRS) with top-notch resources. You should speak with the librarian at schools you may use on your trip to find out about resources available to the general public.

The creative communities in Montreal and Quebec City allow you to get work done quickly during your business trip to Quebec. Print shops that help authors publish their own work can be mobilized for binding and printing of reports. Local writers and editors can be called upon to look over your work for the right price. You need to keep a list of contacts in Quebec during your business travels to mobilize resources in future trips.

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Your experience with culture in Quebec cities does not need to be limited to the airport, the hotel and the occasional restaurant. There are plenty of shopping opportunities in Quebec for souvenirs, Christmas gifts and memorabilia to help you capture a special moment during your trip. Quebec City, Montreal, Laval and other municipalities feature a combination of world; French-themed and mass-produced offerings that can help you get away from the desk for a little while. You need to budget appropriately for souvenirs based on the conversion rate to Canadian dollars and your needs over the rest of your trip.

There are a number of artisans in places like Saint Catherine Street in Montreal that offer hand-crafted items that make great gifts. You can get flags; banners and other textiles with representations of the Quebec flag that can help you celebrate the Francophone traditions of this province. Small bookstores with English and French books by local authors give you a window into Quebec's culture unavailable on the Internet. Paintings and sculptures representing the long history of Quebec can be customized while you sit in business meetings down the street.

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The emergency services provided by Quebec for provincial residents extend to business travelers in certain circumstances. International travelers can utilize emergency rooms, ambulances and basic care at a rate that remains lower than similar costs in regions with private health care. You need to know the emergency resources at your disposal in places like Quebec City to make your trip as safe and secure as possible.

Quebec City is a good example of the emergency services available in cities throughout the province due to its size. The second biggest city in the province features an extensive fire protection service as well as a top-notch police department. The Service de protection contre les incendies de Quebec provides immediate responses to building and commercial fires as well as paramedic services at the scenes of automotive accidents. The Service de police de la Ville de Quebec protects residents and visitors to Quebec City in addition to investigatory services.

It is important to exercise your rights as a traveler to services in English based on the province's bilingual tradition. Public hospitals and clinics must provide paperwork and services in English to all users. It may escape your notice if you encounter crime or injury in Quebec but you can receive better service in English if you are an English-speaking traveler.

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Quebec shares many things with the people of France including a language, a culture and a long history of cooperation. Business travelers in Quebec can also attest to the glut of fine dining establishments with a French theme in the province. If you spend any time in Quebec City, Montreal and other cities in the province, you will encounter a number of French restaurants that offer affordable prices for five-star foods.

One of the best aspects of Quebec is the conglomeration of different cultures in the province. International travelers may be familiar with the French influence on language, culture and food in Quebec but nearly four percent of the population speaks foreign languages. A stroll down any street in Montreal will show dining options from the Middle East, Asia, Africa and South America. Your business trip cannot be considered a success without sampling foods beyond the usual chains and fast food options.

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Travelers from the United States and other nations unfamiliar with Canadian politics need to appreciate Quebec's government. Business owners, representatives and lobbyists who want to deal with the highest levels of provincial government need to deal with a member of the National Assembly of Quebec. This is the lone legislative body for the province and is an organization that is concerned about maintaining the traditions of the people of Quebec. You need to shape your sales pitch based on this focus on tradition in order to succeed in Quebec.

Your business may only need to make inroads into localities and regions instead of the entire province. There are 17 administrative sections of the province of Quebec with individual ruling boards that deal with the mandates passed down from the National Assembly. Each community has a school board as well as a city council that deal with issues among a small number of constituents. These official avenues allow you a good opportunity at selling a small business idea or an expansion plan that can help out a specific group of Quebecois.

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