Sharing Québec's key values

To facilitate your integration into Québec society, it is important for you to appropriate and abide by Québec’s key values.

French is Québec’s official language. In addition to an essential instrument of communication, it is the language of:

• The state and the law
• Work
• Education
• Commerce and business
• Communications

The Charter of the French language  protects and promotes French in Québec. It seeks to ensure the quality, protection and reach of the French language, in addition to making it the common language in Québec.

Québec is the only society with a French-speaking majority in North America. That makes Québec a distinct society.

French is used to express Québec culture. It represents a common symbol of belonging to the society.

Knowledge of French is essential to successfully integrating Québec society.

It enables you to:

• Better understand cultural references, and democratic and Québec values
• Develop social ties more quickly
• Develop a sense of belonging to Québec society
• Fully participate in all dimensions of life in Québec society

Knowing French also fosters access to:

• Education
• Work
• Culture
• Public services

The Québec government offers you free French courses to facilitate your integration into Québec society.

It is important to note that, to practice a profession governed by a professional order in Québec, you must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the French language in order to obtain a regular permit to practice the profession.

In Québec, democracy enables citizens to exercise their power to elect people to represent them in the National Assembly .

The role of Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) is to:

• Play an intermediary role between the population and the public administration
• Study, analyse and vote on bills
• Question and monitor the actions of the government

Citizens can also run in an election to become MNAs.

To vote in Québec, you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be domiciled in Québec for six months
• Meet the criteria of the Election Act

Citizens have the right to vote freely and confidentially.

The rule of law means that no one is above the law. Each person, like the State and its agents, must obey the law.

This is a fundamental principle of Québec’s democratic society.

Moreover, all people are:

• Equal in worth and dignity
• Entitled to equal protection of the law

Democracy in Québec is based on:

• Freedom of expression: Citizens can express their political opinions publicly.
• Freedom of association: Citizens are encouraged to take part in activities organized by associations and organizations related to their daily lives, such as the activities of:
  • A tenants’ association
  • A union
  • A parents’ committee in the school environment

Equality between women and men is a fundamental value of Québec society. Women and men have the same:

• Rights
• Obligations
• Responsibilities in public and private life

Women and men have the right to marry or to enter into a common-law relationship with the person of their choice. Québec law considers marriage to be the union of two people of different sexes or the same sex.

The minimum age at which one can marry without the authorization of a court is 18.

A woman and a man living as a couple have the same rights and obligations toward one another and their children. They must share family responsibilities, such as:

• The management of property and finances
• The choice of the place of residence
• The education of the children
• The choice of the values that are important to the family
• The rules of conduct

Any person may also choose to separate or divorce. In the event of divorce, women and men have the same rights and responsibilities.

Women and men are equal in the various spheres of society:

• In education
• On the labour market
• In health services
• In relational choices: single, couple or family
• In decision-making and political venues

The Québec education system is based on equality and diversity between women and men from the start of preschool. The criteria for admission to the various programs of study and training are the same for everyone. Access to the different education and training programs is egalitarian. Teaching is neutral, secular and not stereotyped according to the sexes.

Québec’s objective is equality between women and men on the labour market.

Women and men have access to the same jobs. They are entitled to the same salary and the same working conditions for equal work. Minimum working conditions are also set and regulated by law. These standards apply to all types of employment and to all personal statuses.

Everyone is free to:

• Find and leave a job
• Sign contracts
• Start a business
• Apply for a position different from their own,
• etc.

Employers may not discriminate or harass on the basis of sex, gender or otherwise. Everyone working in Québec has the right to a safe and respectful work environment.

Women and men have the same economic autonomy and may choose to live alone and earn money to meet their needs. Different measures  are available to help balance personal and professional life.

Women may, by themselves:

• Vote in elections
• Decide to marry and to divorce
• Find a job
• Run for election as a candidate
• Sign contracts
• Start a business, etc.

From the age of 14, women and men can choose a health professional and a health institution to meet their needs. All these people can also choose alone to consent or refuse interventions.

The voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion) is legal in Québec, as everywhere in Canada. Abortion is free to anyone eligible for the health insurance plan.

Women and men have the right to:

• Be single
• Marry or unite freely with the person of their choice
• Decide whether or not to have children

Women and men who choose celibacy have the same rights as all other citizens.

Québec law considers marriage to be the union of two people of different sexes or the same sex. It can be civil or religious.

The minimum age at which one can marry without the authorization of a court is 18.

A woman and a man living as a couple have the same rights and obligations toward one another and their children. They must share family responsibilities, such as:

• The management of property and finances
• The choice of the place of residence
• The education of the children
• The choice of the values that are important to the family
• The rules of conduct

Any person may also choose to separate or divorce. In the event of separation or divorce, women and men have the same rights and responsibilities. Education and parental authority remain responsibilities shared equally between parents.

Domestic violence in any form is prohibited, as is:

• Harassment
• Threats
• Any situation where a person feels in danger

The same goes for honour-based violence, whether it is directed against a spouse or any member of the family. If you feel in danger or think you are experiencing violence, seek help.

When a person offers help or support to members of their immediate circle who are sick or losing their autonomy, they are referred to as a caregiver. In Québec, men are strongly encouraged to offer assistance as caregivers, while a majority of women still assume these responsibilities.

Québec’s objective is to achieve equal representation of women and men at all decision-making and political levels:

• Local
• Regional
• National

In Québec, the purpose of the Charter of human rights and freedoms  is to raise awareness of human rights and freedoms and ensure they are respected.

The Charter applies to all people living in Québec, regardless of their convictions. It covers various categories of rights:

• Fundamental rights and freedoms
• The right to equality
• Political rights
• Judicial rights
• Economic and social rights

According to the Charter of human rights and freedoms, all people are equal in worth and dignity, and have the same legal protections, regardless of their personal traits or characteristics:

• Race
• Skin colour
• Sex
• Gender identity or expression
• Pregnancy
• Sexual orientation
• Civil status
• Age
• Religion
• Political convictions
• Language
• Ethnic or national origin
• Social condition
• A handicap

In Québec, the rights and freedoms of each person are inseparable from those of others and the common well-being.

The fundamental rights ensure respect for human dignity and protect the values of freedom and equality.

They include the following rights:

• The right to life
• The right to personal security
• The right to inviolability
• The right to personal freedom
• The right to privacy

The fundamental rights also guarantee the protection of:

• Freedom of conscience
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of opinion
• Freedom of expression
• Freedom of peaceful assembly
• Freedom of association

Because the fundamental rights are exercised in society, there are certain limits on their application. They must not conflict with the following principles:

• Democratic values
• Secularism of the state
• Public order
• The Québec public’s welfare

Québec takes a stand against violence in all its forms in all spheres of life, both private and public. No violence is tolerated in any setting.

Moreover, discrimination is prohibited in all areas of daily life, such as:

• Employment
• Housing
• Access to businesses
• Access to public places

Sexual violence is not tolerated either, whether it takes the form of:

• Sexual assault
• Sexual or sexist harassment
• Sexual exploitation

All such violence is punishable by law. Visit the Evaluate the relationship page to determine if you are experiencing abuse and to find help resources.

Fact sheets on equality

Equality in education (in French only) 
Equality for couples and families (in French only) 
Equality at work and in business (in French only) 
Equality in health care services (in French only) 
Equality with regard to the security, integrity and dignity of the person (in French only) 
Participation in public life (in French only) 

The Québec State and its institutions are secular: their decisions and actions are independent of religious powers. That means that no religion is favoured over another.

The neutrality of the State implies that each person in Québec is entitled to secular services and institutions. The decisions and actions of institutions are independent of religious powers.

Each person is entitled to his or her religious beliefs, to practise them and to express them. It is, in fact, prohibited in Québec to discriminate or harass someone on the grounds of religion. The secularism of the Québec state is thus aimed at ensuring the equality of all people, regardless of their beliefs or religion.

The value of secularism is experienced in the public domain in Québec. Secularism prohibits certain people from wearing a religious symbol in the performance of their duties if they are in situations of authority, for example:

• New police officers
• New prosecutors in criminal and penal proceedings
• New teaching staff in public elementary and secondary schools

To make it possible to verify people’s identity or for reasons of safety, their face must be uncovered in order to receive certain government services.

Secularism is now enshrined in the Charter of human rights and freedoms .