Moving to Quebec

TransCanadian Van Lines (T.C.V.L.) is very active in the household goods movement in the province of Québec. Our main agent is in the city of Montreal and covers half of the province. Our second agent is in Québec City which covers the other half.

We have a strong presence in the French market. We understand the special needs that French people want. It is for this reason that our agents are well-trained, bilingual, and determined to give our clients superior satisfaction.

The Province of Québec is our birthplace. This is where our company was established. Therefore, we are proud to serve the French Canadians seeing as they are great, friendly and caring people.

We cover all regions in the Province of Québec: Montreal area, Trois-Rivières, Sherbrooke, Québec City, and Gaspésie.

 

La Belle Province

The largest province is located in eastern Canada, the capital city is Quebec City, and the largest city is Montreal. A French-speaking province. The name “Quebec” came from the Algonquin word “kepék” meaning “the place where the river narrows.” The nicknamed “La Belle Province” is because of the diverse landscape and architecture. Motto – “Je me souviens” which is French for “I remember”.

The population is around 7,750.5 million (2011) The largest city – Montreal (metropolitan area of 3.6 million in 2006 census). Ethnic groups include French, Irish, Italian, English, Aboriginal, Scottish and German. Main languages spoken: French 60%, English 37.8%, Italian 1.7%, Spanish 1.5%, Arabic 1.5% (2006 census).

It is the home to over 108,430 aboriginal people: Mohawk, Wendat (Huron), Cree, Algonquin, Innu (Montagnais), Micmac, Attikameks, Inuit and Métis -People came from France, Britain, Southern Europe, East and Southeast Asia. Most cities and towns are along the St. Lawrence River.

History

• First people
  • Cree
  • Innu
  • Attikamek
  • Algonquin
  • Abenaki
  • Malecite
  • Micmac
  • Inuit
• Iroquois lived in villages along the St. Lawrence River. They grew squash, beans and maize.
• Montagnais Nation (Innu) were hunters and gatherers who lived in birchbark covered wigwams.
• Inuit of the north hunted seals, whales and polar bears.
• Explorer Jacques Cartier arrived in 1534 and claimed the land for France.
• Samuel de Champlain set up a colony called New France in 1608.
• Farmers called “habitants” settled there.
• British and French fought the Seven Years’ War.
• The war ended when Quebec City was captured by the British (1759).
• Loyalists arrived from the U.S. (1781) and settled farther west up the river.
• The area was divided into Upper Canada (English speaking) and Lower Canada (mainly French speaking) in 1791.
• The Act of Union in 1840 united Upper and Lower Canada and established the Province of Canada.
• In 1867 the Province of Canada was divided into Ontario and Quebec.
• Quebec became one of the four original provinces of the Dominion of Canada, along with Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in 1867.

Land and water

• The land is divided into three regions
  • Canadian Shield
  • St. Lawrence Lowlands
  • Appalachian Region
• About 90 % of Quebec is in the Canadian Shield Region.
• The Shield is rocky, with forests, lakes and rivers.
• Forests cover over half of Quebec.
• The Lowlands are along the St. Lawrence River.
• This is the agricultural region and where most of the people live.
• The St. Lawrence River (over 1200 km. long) links Quebec to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Ships sail inland on the St. Lawrence River.
• The Appalachian Region in the southeastern area of the province consists of weathered mountains.
• Quebec has more fresh water than any other province.
• There are more than one million lakes and waterways.

Resources / industries

• Gold, copper, iron ore, silver, zinc, nickel and asbestos are mined in Quebec.
• Hydroelectric power is produced and exported to the U.S.
• One of the largest hydroelectric plants in the world is near James Bay.
• Quebec produces more than a third of Canada’s pulp and paper products. ( paper, newsprint, boxes, tissue and cardboard)
• Lumber is used to make furniture and to build homes.
• The province is Canada’s main producer of maple syrup.
• The main farming area is the St. Lawrence Lowlands.
• The dairy industry is the largest in Canada
• Raising hogs, cattle and poultry and growing hay corn and oats to feed the animals are important agricultural activities.
• All kinds of fruits and vegetables are grown in southern Quebec.
• Manufacturing: aerospace industry, aircraft and commuter trains, computer and electronic products, pharmaceuticals

Climate

• northern Quebec: arctic climate, very cold winters, permafrost
• the Shield and Lowlands: sub arctic climate, long cold winters, short warm summers
• southern Quebec: humid; cold snowy winters; hot muggy summers

Events

• The Winter Carnival in Quebec City
  • Held in February
  • Winter sports, dances, ice sculptures, dog sled races, parades and concerts.
  • Snowman mascot called “Bonhomme de neige”

Places

• Bonaventure Island bird sanctuary (largest colony of gannets in the world).
• Quebec City, the only walled city north of Mexico, has many historic buildings.
• Old Montreal has cobblestone streets and historic 17th and 18th century architecture.
• Religious shrines (Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal and Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré Basilica) attract millions of pilgrims from many countries.
• The Quebec Citadel is a large fortification built in the 19th century to protect the city.

People

• Celine Dion – has records in English and French, has recorded movie soundtracks
• Oscar Peterson (1925-2007) – jazz pianist
• William Shatner – actor (Captain Kirk of Star Trek series)
• J.A.Bombardier (1907-1961) invented the snowmobile, produced the Ski-Doo in 1959
• Myriam Bédard – winner of two Olympic Gold medals (biathlon)
• Gaétan Boucher – winner of four Olympic Gold medals (speed skating)
• Marc Gagnon – four time World champion, winner of three Olympic Gold medals (speed skating)
• Gilles and Jacques Villeneuve – race car drivers
• Marc Garneau and Julie Payette – Canadian astronauts
• Prime Mininsters of Canada
  • Jean Chrétien
  • Brian Mulroney
  • Pierre E. Trudeau
  • Louis S. St-Laurent
  • Sir Wilfred Laurier
  • Sir John Abbott
• Famous hockey players
  • Henri and Maurice “ROCKET” Richard
  • Jean Béliveau
  • Guy LaFleur
  • Mario Lemieux
  • Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion
  • Patrick Roy
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