Demographics
Population
- 7.5 million (2004)
- French is the official language
- Highly bilingual and multilingual workforce
Active population (thousands): 4,028
Total area: 1,667,441 km 2
Employment by industry (000s), 2004
| Manufacturing |
629.3
|
| Retail trade |
471.6
|
| Health and social services |
442.6
|
Population of metropolitan areas
| Montreal |
3.6 million
|
| Quebec City (Capital) |
710,800
|
| Gatineau |
277,700
|
| Saguenay |
154,200
|
| Sherbrooke |
162,300
|
| Trois-Rivières |
141,200
|
Languages (% distribution), Census 2001
| French, mother tongue |
80.2
|
| English, mother tongue |
8.2
|
| Speaking both official languages |
40.2
|
Economy
| Current GDP ($) |
267,032 million
|
|
Consumer Price Index inflation
|
1.9% (2004)
|
| Unemployment rate |
8.5% (2004)
|
Total international trade ($ CDN billions)
| Exports |
$ 89.1 billion (2004)
|
| Imports |
$87.9 billion (2004)
|
Trade and Investment (2004)
International export markets (%)
| United States |
81.8
|
| United Kingdom |
2.2
|
| Japan |
1.6
|
Top three international exports (%)
| Aerial vehicles and parts |
11.2
|
| Paper and cardboard |
9.1
|
| Machinery |
8.6
|
International import suppliers (%)
| United States |
36.4
|
| China |
7.3
|
| United Kingdom |
7.0
|
Top three international imports (%)
| Oil and natural gas |
16.3
|
| Automobiles |
14.1
|
| Machinery |
12.1
|
Business and Investment Environment
- An exceptional, available qualified and stable labour force at a competitive price.
- A market of 110 million consumers within a 1000 km radius.
- Tax incentives and labour force assistance and training programs adapted to the needs of companies.
- Research and development and innovation capacity geared to the needs of companies.
- Availability of private and public capital to fund investment projects.
Sectoral Strengths
Aerospace
- Quebec ranks sixth worldwide.
- Montreal is one of the world’s largest aeronautical centres, along with Seattle (US) and Toulouse ( France ).
- The industry’s 260 companies include four leading international players: Bombardier for regional business aircraft, Pratt & Whitney Canada for airplane and helicopter engines, CAE for flight simulators and Bell Helicopter for civilian helicopters.
- One out of every 200 people work directly in the aeronautics manufacturing industry in Quebec .
- Over 80% of production is exported.
Biopharmaceutical industry
- About 40% of deliveries and 42% of investment in Canada ’s biopharmaceutical industry are in Quebec .
- Six of the seven research centres for multinational pharmaceutical companies in Canada are located in Quebec : Merck Frosst, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and ID Biomedical.
- Quebec boasts internationally recognized research firms and a biotechnology research institute.
Information technology
- 70% of production is exported.
- Software and multimedia companies are internationally recognized for their creativity and knowledge.
- Montreal is the site for a critical mass of companies, including several world leaders in manufacturing and research in the wireless telecommunications niche.
- A leading international producer of interactive games, animation and 2D and 3D special effects.
Other sectors of excellence
- Agri-food
- Automotive and surface transportation equipment
- Light metals
- Microelectronics
- Telecommunications
Online Resources
Investissement Québec
www.investquebec.com
Montréal International
www.montrealinternational.com
Québec
pole-qca.ca
Société générale de financement du Québec
http://www.sgfqc.com/en
Contacts
In Canada , contact:
International Trade Canada
E-mail: investincanada@international.gc.ca
Internet : www.investincanada.gc.ca
For investment information on QC, contact:
Investissement Québec
E-mail: info@investquebec.com
Internet: www.investquebec.com