Hospitality Policy for International Organizations

Québec is home to 82 international, governmental and non-governmental organizations (IOs, IGOs and INGOs), including five United Nations offices and the headquarters of institutional Francophonie actors. Owing to its status as the world capital of civil aviation and a hub for both sustainable development and artificial intelligence, Montréal is where the vast majority of them are located, particularly in these sectors.

When hosting an international governmental organization on its territory, the Government of Québec complies with the spirit of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies (1947) and other international conventions such as the Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It does this by granting tax benefits to the organization and its employees through an agreement with the organization, and by granting a competitive set of courtesy privileges, in accordance with international practice.

In 1988, the Government of Québec adopted a decree that forms the legislative basis for the Hospitality Policy for International Organizations. It aims to offer the best possible reception conditions as well as other advantages (courtesy privileges, tax exemptions, etc.) subject to the conclusion of a recognition agreement with the Government of Québec.

The criteria for the recognition of an international non-governmental organization have been established as follows:

• the INGO must carry out its activities in areas corresponding to the priority interests of Québec society;
• its objectives and regulations must be compatible with the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms;
• it must be representative in nature and its purpose must be recognized internationally;
• it must have a recognized head office and an administrative head; its constitution must have been adopted according to democratic principles;
• it must have standing to speak on behalf of its members through its authorized representatives;
• it must have an international structure and its members must have the right to participate in decisions affecting its direction and action;
• its main resources must come primarily from the contributions of its national sections or individual members.

The activities of the international non-governmental organization should fall within the following sectors:

• The priority sectors:
  • economic activities, particularly financial services;
  • science and technology, including aerospace and aeronautics;
  • telecommunications;
  • computer science;
  • information systems;
  • cutting-edge technologies.
• La Francophonie and its priority areas of action:
  • agriculture and environment;
  • energy;
  • culture and communication;
  • scientific and technological information;
  • language industries.
• International development.
• Humanitarian aid.
• Human rights.

Several measures are provided to facilitate the integration of the international non-governmental organization.

Tax measures

Tax exemptions may be granted to organizations and individuals that meet the following criteria:

• not be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
• be registered with the Government of Québec;
• reside in Canada solely for the purpose of carrying out their duties;
• live outside Canada immediately prior to assuming their duties;
• not operate a business in Canada;
• not hold any office in Canada or hold any employment other than their duties within the organization.

Social measures

With respect to pensions, labour standards, occupational health and safety standards, work accidents, occupational diseases and health insurance, the organization undertakes to enable its employees to benefit from Québec’s various plans and to contribute to them in accordance with established regulations, subject to social security agreements entered into by the Government of Québec.

Education

Employees, their spouses and dependent children may be exempt from the additional tuition fees normally charged to international students.

Immigration

The Government undertakes to facilitate the issuance of a Certificate of Selection to an employee as well as to his or her spouse and family members wishing to settle permanently in Québec, subject to the conditions established by Québec regulations.

Driver’s licence

The employees described above, their spouses and dependent adult children may obtain a driver's licence, without examination, if they already hold a valid licence.

The Government of Québec may fund the establishment of international organizations in Québec. The costs that may be funded are intended to support the international organization in its operations and could include:

• its establishment costs;
• its relocation costs;
• a portion of the salaries for the positions created.

Québec works closely with the federal government, municipal authorities and Montréal International to provide a competitive environment for the establishment and expansion of international organizations in Québec.

The Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie provides a one-stop service for managing benefits, courtesy privileges and immunities. The Ministère also acts as a facilitator to put international organizations in contact with Québec stakeholders of interest.