The Centre-du-Québec region at a glance

Territory and main cities
Economy and employment
Portrait of immigration
Services to immigrants offered by the Ministère
Resources and interesting links

Territory and main cities

With a population of 225,024, the Centre-du-Québec and its major cities-Bécancour, Drummondville, Nicolet, Plessisville and Victoriaville-enjoy a strategic geographic position (just one hour from the U.S. border) that favours the region's industrial and commercial activities. Located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, mid-way between Québec City and Montréal, the Centre-du-Québec is a region of choice for small and medium businesses operating in various economic sectors. Since the 17^th century, the residents have made the most of the region's abundant and fertile lands and are now benefiting from its rich industrial potential.

Information on the territory and its subregions

• Tourisme Centre-du-Québec

Economy and employment

In recent years, job growth in the Centre-du-Québec region has exceeded the provincial average and everything points to the likelyhood of this trend continuing over the coming years. This is Québec’s most dynamic region with a 9.5% rate of entrepreneurial activity, the highest in the province.

The industrial sector is greatly diversified. Besides the traditional textile, clothing, furniture and wood industries, the region now has businesses operating in the food, paper, plastic, metal products, machinery and transportation equipment sectors.

In terms of the transportation of goods, the Centre-du-Québec region is a veritable hub with two highways linking it to major cities in Canada and the U.S.

Information on the economy, employment, services and cultural life

• Emploi-Québec
• Ministère des Finances

Business start-up support

• Société de Développement Économique de Drummondville

Portrait of immigration

Through its many organizations and associations, the Centre-du-Québec region offers a wide range of services to new immigrants in order to ease their integration and job insertion. The region has already welcomed immigrants from various countries including Switzerland, the United States, France, Haiti, the former Yugoslavia, Columbia and China.

Services to immigrants offered by the Ministère

• Comparative Evaluation for Studies Done Outside Québec
• Directory of services offered by community partners
• French courses for non-francophones
• Information sessions for immigrants

Resources and interesting links

• Accès-travail
• Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Nicolet-Yamanska-Bécancour
• Comité d'accueil international des Bois-Francs (CAIBF)
• Heading for Success
• International social security agreements
• Portail Centre-du-Québec
• Regional reports: profiles of regions and MRCs (county regional municipalities)
• Regroupement interculturel de Drummondville (RID)
• Ville de Bécancour
• Ville de Drummondville
• Ville de Nicolet
• Ville de Plessisville
• Ville de Victoriaville

To learn more Contact the Centre de contacts clientèle or consult the directory of services offered by the Ministry’s partners.