Many good reasons for choosing Québec

Extensive potential markets

Québec is an ideal location for companies seeking to conquer North American markets. Within a perimeter of 1,000 km, lies a market of more than 130million consumers awaits you. In addition, thanks to free trade agreements with the United States and Mexico, this market can potentially expand to more than 413 million.

Quality labour force

Québec’s large labour pool is distinctive for its training, availability, multilingualism and highly affordable remuneration scales.

Competitive operating costs

Labour and electricity costs are particularly advantageous and so are those associated with the rental or construction of commercial space.

Efficient transportation network

Québec’s intermodal transportation system affords easy access to North American markets. Its international, regional and local airports, 70,000 km of highways, 6,600 km of railways, 10 ports and 40 maritime routes, and vast state-of-the-art telecommunications network all serve to facilitate trade with partners around the world.

Considerable venture capital

For a number of years now, Québec has been the Canadian centre for venture capital.

Advantageous corporate tax system

Québec’s tax system is based on a tax rate on profits that is among the most advantageous in North America. This modest tax rate, combined with tax measures intended to support new businesses and investments, makes Québec’s system highly competitive.

Flexible administrative procedures

Procedures for registering or incorporating a business in Québec are rapid, streamlined and inexpensive.

Registered company: approximately C$35
Corporation: approximately C$800

Business support programs

Several support programs are available to meet the needs of Québec small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Intended to encourage growth, they may be in the form of loan guarantees, repayable contributions, tax credits or subsidies:

• Technical support and guidance in developing business plans, site searches, prospecting and partnership.
• Financial support for business start-ups and expansion, export, design, innovation, research and development.

Useful links

• Investissement-Québec
• Ministère des Finances – Economic and Financial Profile of Québec (PDF, 3 070 Kb)
• Institut de la statistique du Québec
• Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec
• Montréal International - Living in Montréal
• Cité multimédia Montréal