Quebec Provincial Program - Need advice, please help

[edgy555]

Hi Chinaconnection:

With respect to your question regarding English-language schools, Quebec has two parallel systems -- a French Language school system and an English one. However, as an immigrant, under Quebec law, you would be barred from sending your children to the English Language school system. What the law actually says is that unless a child has one parent who was educated in English in Canada, the child is "not eligible" for English Language instruction. Now, the logical next question is well, if I really wanted to, couldn't I send my child to a private school in English and the answer to this is technically yes, but in practice no. It's complicated, but basically if a private school receives any funding from the province of Quebec (and nearly all of them do) then the school must follow the same rules as the public system, which means that your child would be barred from attending a subsidized private school as well. BTW, these rules apply through high school; anyone has the right to get their college education in the language they prefer.

Just to put this on the table: I'm not anti-Quebec or anti-French. I'm just pointing out that there are very large pluses and minuses. There are others as well: if you want to open up a business, it also has to function in French. The separatist party wants to pass a law saying that the Quebec government would only communicate with immigrants in French. There was even a question several years back regarding an American who had just moved to Montreal (didn't speak French), wanted to home school her child and was told that she would have to home school in French and that the local school board would be checking up on her. She wound up moving to Ontario.

There are a lot of positives to life here too and Italki's Italian would make acquiring French much easier, so that's definitely a plus. However, I would point out to others that they should make an informed decision about Quebec.

 

[edgy555]

Chinaconnection:

Sorry, missed part of your question: yes, I suppose it would be possible to send your children to school in other provinces (in fact there was a story last year of people living near the US border who were sending their children to school in the US on a daily basis) but geographically the only places that would be conducive to that would be Gatineau (across the river from Ottawa and near the US border.) I know there are at least two historically English private schools that refuse public money so that's an option as well.

Italki:

Here was the process for me:

9/2005 -- 6/2006: Came as a student to Montreal to take intensive French lessons.

6/2006: Decided I wanted to stay and filed an application for a CAQ (one reason for my late application was that I spend significant time assembling all the documents required to file, which I found out later is not strictly necessary -- you can file and provide documents at a later date.)

8/2006: Returned to the US.

9/2006: Was informed that my application was received and that an interview would be necessary (this despite -- according the the points schedule -- that I only needed a minimal amount of French to qualify.)

5/2007: Interview Scheduled in New York.

6/2007: Had interview at Quebec Delegation -- about 1/2 in French and 1/2 in English. The Officer seemed to want to know why I wanted to move to Quebec (as opposed to English Canada.) Got CAQ on same day.

6/2007 -- 9/2007: Delayed filing for the Federal process (partially because it was Summer and partially because I couldn't immediately cough up the $1200 filing fee.)

9/2007: Sent my CAQ and Federal application to Buffalo (BTW, the federal application has to be filed with Quebec at the start of the Quebec process but I didn't get the impression that they cared very much about it being accurate -- waste of time for me because I spent months assembling the documents required for it before even starting the Quebec process.)

10/2007: Acknowledgement of receipt/Record transferred to Detroit (known for being slow)

11/2007: Request for medicals. I did the medicals immediately.

1/2008: Was infomed that there was an anomaly in my medicals and I would have to bring the "enclosed sealed envelope" to the doctor who had done them. They were very clear about keeping the envelope sealed. I steamed open the envelope to find a letter that said they never received (from the doctor) the x-rays that were required (and that I took.)

1/2008: I immediately returned to doctor to clear up the confusion.

6/2008: Was asked to send in my passport for PR visa.

7/2008: Landed in Quebec.

In my instance, getting a CAQ alone took a year. The federal process took another year (partially because of a three-month delay on my part but also because of delays outside of my control.)

The CAQ process is straightforward but could drag out for many reasons (I was told, for example, that summer is a bad time to file plus they wanted to interview me.)

The poster above is correct that the CAQ process is a simple points-based process but it is weighted to those who speak French and have some familiarity with Quebec.

Hope this helps.

 

[edgy555]

Italki:

I assume you have this but this is Quebec's points estimator:

http://www.form.services.micc.gouv.qc.ca/epi/index.jsp?languageCode=en

 

[unik]

Edgy555
I'm in the process for the quebec program and I 'm currently in the US . Could you please provide the names of the private English schools in gatineau I was looking for schools for my children and it seem like the only way will be french schools(don't get me wrong it is a good system) but since the children had started in english already .....
thanks

 

[italki]

Italki:

I assume you have this but this is Quebec's points estimator:

http://www.form.services.micc.gouv.qc.ca/epi/index.jsp?languageCode=en

What about the TEF certificate to establish my level of French? In which part of the application process does that come in? I ask because next term i plan to attend french classes to brush up on my knowledge and then after that i will sit the TEF exam at the Alliance Francais in my city. The Certificate that they give me will be valid for one year. So what i would like to know is, if you have sat this particular exam and get good grades, does that mean that they will waive the interview?

Also regarding my previous immigration from Italy to Australia i was wondering whether it is worth mentioning just to show that i was very succesfull in adapting to a new country. I arrived in Australia when i was 15 with no knowledge of English and now i am 26 i have completed two degrees at university and have a full time job

 

[Chinaconnection]

Edgy555,

Thanks so much for your time and explaintions you gave. Atleast it is good to know these things . Thanks alot.I didn't know about the law that states that immigrants must send their kids to only french schools.

By the way can i email you in your private box?

I have got some private questions to ask you as my coming to Quebec is close

Thanks

 

[edgy555]

Chinaconnection and anyone who needs info about Quebec (if I know it):

Not a problem for you to mail to my private box.

 

[edgy555]

Italki:

I was never asked for a TEF and I've just reviewed the Quebec CAQ application and it doesn't seem like they require it. So (and if someone knows better, please correct me) I don't think it's a requirement. As to whether it might help you get your interview waived, I guess that's a definitely maybe. They have the right to interview anyone they want. I was really convinced that I would get my interview waived (I had submitted proof of the intensive classes I took at McGill University and didn't need many points in the French Language category to qualify) but I wound up getting interviewed anyway and it certainly adds a lot of time to the processing.

Unik:

I'm happy to help you out if I can. Is Gatineau where you were intending to settle?

 

[italki]

Italki:

I was never asked for a TEF and I've just reviewed the Quebec CAQ application and it doesn't seem like they require it. So (and if someone knows better, please correct me) I don't think it's a requirement. As to whether it might help you get your interview waived, I guess that's a definitely maybe. They have the right to interview anyone they want. I was really convinced that I would get my interview waived (I had submitted proof of the intensive classes I took at McGill University and didn't need many points in the French Language category to qualify) but I wound up getting interviewed anyway and it certainly adds a lot of time to the processing.

So from what i understand the quebec government helps out new people who have just moved there with free french language classes?
how long for? what about employment programs specifically designed for recent immigrant?

 

[edgy555]

Italki:

Yes, that's true. I think the program is meant to take up up to an intermediate level -- maybe advanced intermediate. In fact, there's even an allowance available (it's far from extravagant and it's dependant upon your circumstances) so that you can attend class full time.

Here are the details:

http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/french-language/learning-quebec/index.html

 

[unik]

edgy 555
My destination might be Gatineau. It is close to ottawa. I will be happy to have the list of schools.
Thank you for your help

 

[Chinaconnection]

Edgy555,

Isent you a private message. Did you see it ?

I hope to read from you soon.

thanks

 

[edgy555]

Chinaconnection;

Saw your PM and responded, let me know if you didn't get it.

Unik:

I found this which lists private schools in Ottawa:

http://www.ottawa.com/learn/main_e.shtml

and there is also a private (non-subsidized) English school in Quebec about 50km east of Gatineau (don't know if that's too far)

http://www.sedbergh.com/

 

[saeid]

edgy555

Hi.
I submitted my application on 28th dec 2008 and received AOR on 13th jan 2009, does this quick response from them is a good sign for my application??? or it doesnt matter whether someone receives AOR within 2 weeks or 2 months or more?

My only concern now is FRENCH as I have required skill and other criterias they require. For the same purpose I attended Alliance Francaise and I could complete Level 1 which is Beginner level and I require atleast 6 months to 1 year to become proficient.

My final destination is Montreal and I dont have plan to settle in any other provinces. At the time of interview if the interviewer get convince that I really want to settle in montreal do they consider me with the Beginner level french? In fact Quebec gov introduced free french classes for immigrant as they know that ppl can not speak fluent french unless they are in the francophone community, so I think they should consider my case, what say u?

 

[italki]

Hey Everyone

I read on the forum before that lodging an application in summer (Canadian summer) is not ideal
Is that true? If so why?

I plan to lodge my application for Quebec around July through Sydney and considering that July is winter here in Australia
i wouldn't think that it's ok?

Please let me know

Also one very important thing i need to ask is, once i have completed my application and mailed it, what do i have to do if i change address
and need to inform them? Or is it acceptable to give a PO Box as a mailing address?

Thanks