Thanks to a booming economy and a shrinking workforce (due to aging, retirement, etc.), Quebec City and the surrounding region offer a wide range of exciting job opportunities, not to mention one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada.

Quebec City is the second largest economic hub in the province of Quebec and the seventh largest in Canada. Since 2000, almost 66,100 jobs have been created in the region. Quebec City’s economy is thriving, while a number of sectors are looking to hire workers.

High technology is one of Quebec City’s main economic drivers, thanks in particular to the creativity and productivity of its industrial sector and scientific community. Sectors of excellence such as optics/photonics, life sciences, insurance and financial services, ICT and electronics, food processing and green/intelligent buildings are all hiring skilled workers, who are in high demand. These sectors are strengthening the region’s position and enhancing the standing of Quebec City and its workforce around the world.

Here is an overview of Quebec City’s business sector:

• Regional market of more than 765,700 people (source: population of the Quebec City CMA, 2011 census)
• More than 19,600 companies (Statistics Canada business register database, December 2010)
• More than 5,200 researchers in the region’s key sectors (source: Quebec International, 2011)
• 160 exporting institutions (source: Quebec Institute of Statistics, 2007). Data for the National Capital/Quebec City (03) and Chaudière-Appalaches (12) administrative regions
• More than 300 research centres, chairs and associations (source: Expertise Research Quebec database, MDEIE, 2012). Please note: data for the National Capital/Quebec City (03) and Chaudière-Appalaches (12) administrative regions
• A very good economic development index: 102.7% (Montreal = 101.5%, province of Quebec = 100%) (source: MDEIE, 2010). The data for Quebec City and Montreal correspond to the National Capital/Quebec City (03) and Montreal (06) administrative regions.

This flurry of economic activity leads to numerous job opportunities, possibilities of advancement and promising career paths. Quebec City and the surrounding region are also well known for their quality of life, stimulating work environment, personalized services for immigrants and an international outlook.

• Health and nutrition
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Active ingredients
• Techno-health
• Medical equipment
• Wellbeing products and services
• Specialized services
• Applied technologies
• Optics/photonics
• Geospace
• Electronics
• IT and interactive entertainment
• Defence, security and emergency preparedness
• Manufacturing industry
• Secondary wood processing
• Green and intelligent buildings
• Plastics and composite materials
• Metal fabrication
• Insurance and financial services
• Personal insurance
• Damage insurance
• Financial services
• Wooden construction
• Tourism
• Tourism: cultural heritage/nature
• Business tourism

Source : Quebec international – key industries

For further information on the labour market in Quebec City and the surrounding region

Download Your Complete Job Search Guide (job searches, résumés, cover letters, interviews) here. (information in French)

For information about how to integrate into the Canadian job market you may also visit : ACCES Employment