The Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region at a glance

News

June 2005 - Immigrants from Colombia start a business in the Saguenay region (in French)

April 2005 - Information guide for immigants (PDF, 336 Kb)

April 2005 - Immigration in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean - From welcoming tradition to lasting settlement – Press release (in French).

August 2003 - Consultative tour of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region on immigration, integration and intercultural relations – Press release (in French).

Territory and main cities

Situated less than 200 kilometres from Quebec City, the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region covers a vast area extending from north of Lac Saint-Jean to the mouth of the famous Saguenay fjord. Its nearly 300,000 residents are known for their hospitality and joie de vivre. In addition to offering a unique environment that combines city conveniences with the pleasures of nature, the region has a solid structure for welcoming and supporting business start-ups through a wide range of services for entrepreneurs.

Information on the territory and its subregions

Portail régional du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean du gouvernement du Québec (Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean regional portal – Government of Québec)
Conférence régionale des élus du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean (Regional conference of elected representatives from the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean)
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Regional Tourism Association

Economy and employment

The Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region has an enviable industrial structure. Its industries, which are always on the alert for new technology, draw upon skilled manpower and a dynamic industrial environment. First developed for its forest wealth, the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean economy was transformed by its immense hydro-electrical potential harnessed to operate its large aluminum smelters. Agri-food, a particularly important industry in Lac-Saint-Jean, is represented by dairy and grain production, milk and meat processing, and blueberry growing and processing. Recreation and tourism (tourism, culture, leisure, hunting and fishing) is a fast-growing sector of the economy.

Information on the economy, employment, services and cultural life

Emploi-Québec
Ministère du Développement économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation

Business start-up support

Domaine-du-Roy local development centre
Local development center of Saguenay
Maria-Chapdelaine local development centre
Local development centre of Lac-Saint-Jean-Est
Group TransformActions

Immigration portrait

Through different organizations and associations, the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region offers a range of services to help new immigrants integrate and find employment. Several communities are already present in the region. They come from a variety of countries, including France, China, the United States, Germany, Belgium, Colombia, Mexico, Rwanda, Haiti and Vietnam.

MICC services for immigrants

Information sessions for new immigrants
Information service on regulated professions
French courses for non-francophones
Directory of services offered by community partners
Comparative Evaluation for Studies Done Outside Québec

Resources and interesting links

International social security agreements
Service externe de main-d'œuvre du Saguenay (SEMO)
City of Saguenay
City of Alma
City of Roberval
ÉduQuébec-Régions
Centre linguistique du Collège de Jonquière (Jonquière College Language Centre)
Regional reports: profiles of regions and MRCs (county regional municipalities)
Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec
Heading for Success
Portes Ouvertes sur le Lac
Corporation Intégration du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

To learn more Contact the service Immigration-Québec – Direction régionale de la Capitale-Nationale et de l'Est-du-Québec or the Québec Immigration Office covering your territory.