Québec in the World
Institutional foreign
relations
Bilateral relations
French-speaking countries, communities and international
organizations
Québec's agencies
throughout the world
Immigration
Institutional
foreign relations
Québec's international role is based on long tradition. As of
1882, Québec had a first permanent representative in France, Mr.
Hector Fabre. More recently, in 1967, Québec created a department
responsible for Québec's foreign governmental activity in order to
pilot the development of the major increase of its international
activity.
Today's world is characterized by open borders and by
globalization of reciprocal trading. Québec is part of this
tendency and its development is tributary to international
environments.
Québec's development depends to a large extent on the type of
international relations which it manages to cultivate. The
ministère des Relations internationales plans, organizes and
directs the Québec government's foreign policy.
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Bilateral relations
Québec maintains close ties with a number of countries with a
view to creating a framework conducive to cooperation, trade and
mutually beneficial partnerships.
Québec's international relations focus primarily on North
America and Europe, two key areas. Moreover, it maintains
significant relations with various Asian nations. Québec shares
vital interests with the rest of North America, especially the
United States. It also maintains diversified relations with several
Latin American countries.
Close ties with several African countries, in particular the
French-speaking nations, are enabling a wide array of Québec
organizations to collaborate in the development of these
countries.
Québec relies on partnerships in order to promote its interests.
Since 1964, it has concluded over 460 agreements with various
foreign countries in fields as diverse as agriculture, education,
energy, transportation, telecommunications, research and
development (R-D) and the environment.
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French-speaking countries, communities and international
organizations
Québec ensures its development in French, while respecting the
various components that make up Québec society, with a view to
maintaining its position among the most developed nations. It
participates in organized, fruitful partnerships with its
French-speaking partners, i.e. 105 million francophones on five
continents.
The Québec government has played a decisive role not only in the
establishment and development of French-language institutions but
in the definition of their role and the conduct of their
multilateral initiatives. More specifically, Québec participates in
and encourages all international forums on education, language,
culture and identity.
Québec wants to bolster the joint potential for creativity and
dissemination in strategic sectors such as the sciences,
technology, communications and culture. Moreover, it is
participating actively in the activities of international
organizations that have a significant impact on its development,
notably those of financial institutions.
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Québec's
agencies throughout the world
Québec maintains a network of agencies in each of the world's
regions. This network is made up of six general delegations, of
four delegations, of seven offices and of twelve branches. The role
of general delegations is to contribute to Québec's influence and
development in the international sphere. They attend to economic,
cultural, political and social concerns. Delegations and offices
cover one or more of these concerns. Branches mainly have an
economic and cultural role.
Québec has four other immigration services besides the
immigration services which are available in general delegations. In
addition, four non-resident delegates based in Québec cover various
geographical areas.
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Immigration
Established by French colonists who settled on the shores of the
Saint Lawrence River in the 17th century, Québec has been enriched
by successive waves of immigrants throughout its history.
Initially, the new arrivals came from Europe. Today, they come from
around the world and are contributing to the diversification and
development of Québec society.
Québec selects the applicants that it deems most likely to
successfully establish themselves here, through Québec immigration
serviceson several continents. The list of countries served by each
immigration office indicates which Service d'immigration du Québec
office should be contacted.
Moreover, when geopolitical conditions create pools of potential
immigrants likely to want to come to Québec, the government sends
immigration counsellors to areas where no permanent office is
maintained.
The ministère de l'Immigration et des Communautés
culturelles provides information on requirements and procedures
with respect to immigration.
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