The immigration pathways.
Daily life and language use.
Quebec (Montréal and Québec City)
French is the working language of Quebec. By law (Bill 96), French is required in workplaces with 25 or more employees. Government services, courts, schools, and most businesses operate in French. In Montréal, you can get by with English in some neighbourhoods, but professional life and daily interactions are primarily French.
The French spoken in Quebec is distinct from European French. Pronunciation, vocabulary, and expressions differ. "Char" instead of "voiture," "magasiner" instead of "faire du shopping." TEF Canada tests both European and Canadian French, and Goldy specifically teaches the differences.
Ontario (Ottawa, Toronto, and smaller cities)
Ontario is primarily English-speaking. However, Ottawa (the national capital) has a significant francophone community, and federal government jobs there require or strongly prefer bilingualism. Toronto is overwhelmingly English, but French opens doors to federal positions, bilingual companies, and Francophone community organisations.
In Ontario, French is an advantage, not a necessity. You will use English daily but having French on your profile opens specific job categories and immigration pathways that English-only candidates cannot access.
Job markets.
- Quebec: Strong in aerospace (Bombardier, CAE), video games (Ubisoft Montréal), AI research, healthcare, and manufacturing. French is required for most positions. English is a bonus, especially in tech.
- Ontario: Canada's largest economy. Finance (Bay Street), tech (Shopify, Ottawa's tech sector), government (federal bilingual positions), and manufacturing. French is an advantage, not a requirement, except in federal roles.
Cost of living.
Montréal is significantly more affordable than Toronto. Housing, childcare, and education costs are lower in Quebec. Quebec also has subsidised daycare ($8.70/day) and lower university tuition. Toronto offers higher salaries in some sectors but the cost of living, especially housing, eats into that.
Which one should you choose?
The good news: Either way, French helps. In Quebec it is essential. In Ontario it is a competitive advantage. Learning French does not lock you into one province. It opens doors in both and gives you more options when you arrive.
Preparing for Canada?
Goldy has sent hundreds of students to both provinces. A free demo class is the first step toward either destination.
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