Ottawa versus Hull. Which is easier if there is a choice?

[thaihubbie]

I am planning to sponsor my Thai husband. I'm from the Ottawa/Hull region. If any of you know Ottawa-Hull, it is very common for people to live in Hull-Quebec or in the surrounding areas (Gatineau, Wakefield etc) and work in Ottawa or it could be vice versa. What is the difference in the Sponsorship Application for Quebec versus Ontario? Is one easier than the other? If I knew it was much easier to sponsor my husband to Quebec then I could lease an apartment in Hull instead of what I have been planning for so long now to just go to Ottawa.

 

[PMM]

Hi

I am planning to sponsor my Thai husband. I'm from the Ottawa/Hull region. If any of you know Ottawa-Hull, it is very common for people to live in Hull-Quebec or in the surrounding areas (Gatineau, Wakefield etc) and work in Ottawa or it could be vice versa. What is the difference in the Sponsorship Application for Quebec versus Ontario? Is one easier than the other? If I knew it was much easier to sponsor my husband to Quebec then I could lease an apartment in Hull instead of what I have been planning for so long now to just go to Ottawa.

If you are resident in Quebec, there is an extra step in that you have to obtain a CSQ and also in spousal applications you require proof of funds.

PMM

 

[thaihubbie]

So Ontario is easier. Noted

 

[Swede]

A slightly related question: Are you allowed to move to Quebec once you are a PR, or do you need special dispensation?

 

[Zhu]

A slightly related question: Are you allowed to move to Quebec once you are a PR, or do you need special dispensation?

That is definitely something to consider here.

I immigrated to Ontario because my partner lived in Ottawa. I didn't even think of going through the Québec process because well, we were "on the other side of the river". However, it did lead to minor issues after I got my PR.

Since I'm a native French speaker, there were quite a few job offers for me in Hull. But apparently, in order to work in Québec, I had to get a CSQ, even though I had already landed as a PR in Ottawa. This is a bit of a grey area apparently, because I was never able to get clear info, CIC and Québec were contradicting each other.

I was pretty angry at the time. I wasn't going to pay for the CSQ, plus go through the crazy waiting time! A lot of Québecers get mad if francophone go through the Québec process (supposed to be easier) and than move to other provinces. I was honest and applied at the federal level because I lived in Ontario. Yet, I had issues to work in Québec, even though it's part of Canada and I was a landed immigrant!

Nevermind, I'm now a citizen... but never worked in Québec, still in Ottawa ;-)

So you may want to consider this issue and get the facts straight.

 

[Suin]

you are right, Quebec has always been more difficult to deal with in immigration

 

[PMM]

Hi

A slightly related question: Are you allowed to move to Quebec once you are a PR, or do you need special dispensation?

That is definitely something to consider here.

I immigrated to Ontario because my partner lived in Ottawa. I didn't even think of going through the Québec process because well, we were "on the other side of the river". However, it did lead to minor issues after I got my PR.

Since I'm a native French speaker, there were quite a few job offers for me in Hull. But apparently, in order to work in Québec, I had to get a CSQ, even though I had already landed as a PR in Ottawa. This is a bit of a grey area apparently, because I was never able to get clear info, CIC and Québec were contradicting each other.

I was pretty angry at the time. I wasn't going to pay for the CSQ, plus go through the crazy waiting time! A lot of Québecers get mad if francophone go through the Québec process (supposed to be easier) and than move to other provinces. I was honest and applied at the federal level because I lived in Ontario. Yet, I had issues to work in Québec, even though it's part of Canada and I was a landed immigrant!

Nevermind, I'm now a citizen... but never worked in Québec, still in Ottawa ;-)

So you may want to consider this issue and get the facts straight.

Somebody gave you bad advice. Once you are a PR the mobility clause allows you to move to any province or territory in the Country. There would be no CSQs . The only proviso is if you were selected under a Provinces PNP program.

PMM

 

[Zhu]

Hi

A slightly related question: Are you allowed to move to Quebec once you are a PR, or do you need special dispensation?

That is definitely something to consider here.

I immigrated to Ontario because my partner lived in Ottawa. I didn't even think of going through the Québec process because well, we were "on the other side of the river". However, it did lead to minor issues after I got my PR.

Since I'm a native French speaker, there were quite a few job offers for me in Hull. But apparently, in order to work in Québec, I had to get a CSQ, even though I had already landed as a PR in Ottawa. This is a bit of a grey area apparently, because I was never able to get clear info, CIC and Québec were contradicting each other.

I was pretty angry at the time. I wasn't going to pay for the CSQ, plus go through the crazy waiting time! A lot of Québecers get mad if francophone go through the Québec process (supposed to be easier) and than move to other provinces. I was honest and applied at the federal level because I lived in Ontario. Yet, I had issues to work in Québec, even though it's part of Canada and I was a landed immigrant!

Nevermind, I'm now a citizen... but never worked in Québec, still in Ottawa ;-)

So you may want to consider this issue and get the facts straight.

Somebody gave you bad advice. Once you are a PR the mobility clause allows you to move to any province or territory in the Country. There would be no CSQs . The only proviso is if you were selected under a Provinces PNP program.

PMM

Apparently, according to the Quebec immigration services, it's not that simple. Hence the conflicting info I got at the time (4 years go). CIC argued that as a PR, mobility clause as you said, while Québec stressed on the fact I needed a CSQ to work there.

 

[Karlshammar]

Hi,

Who exactly told you that you needed a CSQ to work in Quebec? Was it the MICC?

 

[Karlshammar]

I spoke to the MICC and they told me that you do not need a CSQ, and you can move to Quebec and work there without restriction. In her words, "You have the same benefit as everyone else."

This is a half-truth in the sense that a CSQ entitles you to Quebec resident tuition, but we were speaking about work and living there, which she said has no restrictions for any PR, CSQ or not.

 

[The Littlest Hobo]

We are also going to settle in the Ottawa/Hull region. In terms of immigration I'm not sure how different it is but I might guess that the language skills of the applicant would help/hinder that somewhat - wouldn't Quebec prefer francophone applicants? Although their immigration requires a bit more to qualify as the other posters mentioned, I heard rumours back in the day that Quebec pushes to keep a large percent of immigrants because boosting the provinces population boosts their number of seats in parliament, as well as tax base, transfer payments, etc. A political thing. No idea if there is any truth in it... but doesn't sound too far-fetched. But then all the provinces might feel the same.

Good luck with your application! Your husband must be very brave to move from Thailand to Ottawa - brrrrr!
Cheers,
TLH

 

[Karlshammar]

Quebec likes to get immigrants and teach them French, to keep the French language alive.

If you plan on going to school in Quebec a CSQ will entitle you to resident tuition, other than that it's half a dozen or six of another...