Claude Bouchard Constance Lamoureux. at a glance

Transcription

1 Claude Bouchard Constance Lamoureux at a glance

2 Québec Bombardier Transport Chicago Los Angeles Boston New York Washington Atlanta Three times the size of Spain Five times the size of Japan Québec occupies a vast continental peninsula bordering the North Atlantic. Its landmass, half of which is covered with forest, stretches over 1.7 million square kilometres (656,000 square miles). Dotted with millions of lakes and rivers, Québec is also bisected by the 1,200 kilometre-long (746 miles) St. Lawrence River, which stretches 100 kilometres (62 miles) across at its estuary. The St. Lawrence is one of North America s main rivers and one of the world s longest navigable waterways. Mexico City Lima Santiago * Miami Milan Buenos Aires Area Population Québec has 7.4 million inhabitants, nearly one-quarter of the population of Canada. It has a demographic density of 4.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (11 per square mile). Close to 80% of the population lives along the St. Lawrence River in a continental-type temperate climate zone. Nearly 78,000 strong, First Nation peoples 10 Amerindian nations and one Inuit nation make up approximately 1% of Québec s population. Did you know that... Of over 200 countries in the world, only 18 are larger than Québec? Did you know that Québec s fleur-de-lys flag was first hoisted on the Parliament Building in Québec City on January 21, 1948?

3 Québec in the world Munich Brussels Berlin Vienna London Paris * Beijing Seoul Tokyo Barcelona Shanghai Rome Damascus * Taipei Hong Kong Hanoi * Delegations General Delegations Bureaux Branches Trade Representatives Language Claude Bouchard Claude Bouchard Québec society is mainly French in both its language and culture. In 1974, the National Assembly declared French the official language of Québec. French is the first language of 83% of the population, while 11% speak English at home, and 6% speak another language, primarily Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Vietnamese, or Portuguese. Since the beginning of the 20th century, some 700,000 immigrants from Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia have joined Québec society. Over the past five years, Québec has welcomed an average of 33,000 immigrants annually from over a hundred different countries. This cultural diversity has given Québec society a new face, particularly in Montréal, the biggest French-speaking city in North America. Over 40% of Quebecers speak English and French. In Montréal, where the proportion climbs to 64%, 16% of the population is also fluent in a third language. Claire Miville Did you know that Québec s national holiday is celebrated on June 24? Did you know that In 1982 Québec adopted legislation on access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information? Claude Bouchard Did you know that... Young Quebecers aged 15 to 24 have the highest level of schooling in North America and are ranked among the top in the world in science and math according to the OECD?

4 Québec is one of the ten provinces in the Canadian federation. National Assembly Created in 1791, the Parliament of Québec is one of the oldest in the world. Legislative power is held by the National Assembly, with 125 members elected by universal suffrage, each one representing a constituency. Traditionally, the elected leader of the political party that wins the most seats becomes premier and head of the government. General elections are held in Québec every five years or less. All Canadian citizens aged 18 and over who have lived in Québec for at least six months are entitled to vote. Québec has adopted progressive legislation with regard to political party funding. For example, only registered voters are entitled to make contributions to political parties. Leaders of the political parties since April 14, 2003 Premier Jean Charest (Québec Liberal Party) Leader of the Official Opposition Bernard Landry (Parti québécois) Leader of the third sitting party Mario Dumont (Action démocratique du Québec) Jean Charest Québec s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms Québec s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms was adopted in It recognizes that every person has fundamental rights and freedoms that even the government cannot restrict. Institutions Civil Code of Québec The Civil Code, with origins dating back to French law, governs civil rights, relations between citizens, and property. In matters of civil law, all other Canadian provinces are governed by British-inspired Common Law. Health and social services Universal and free Québec s health and social services system is renowned for its wide range of services, its accessibility, and the fact that it is free. In addition to universal access to free hospital services, Quebecers also enjoy free medical care and services in private clinics. A drug insurance program introduced several years ago offers universal coverage, providing all Quebecers with basic protection, regardless of income or health condition. The infant mortality rate in Québec is 4.8 per 1,000 live births. Life expectancy at birth is 81.9 years for women and 76.3 years for men. Did you know that In annual reviews conducted by Mercer Human Resource Consulting to assess quality of life in 200 cities, Montréal has consistently ranked near the top? FAPAQ Did you know that In the past few years, Québec has adopted the following emblems: the snowy owl, the white birch, and the blue iris?

5 History The first populations arrived in what is now Québec about 10,000 years ago Jacques Cartier sets foot on the eastern tip of Québec Samuel de Champlain founds the City of Québec 1642 Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve founds Ville-Marie, which later becomes Montréal Louis XIV grants New France the status of royal province Thirty-nine Amerindian Nations sign the Great Peace of Montréal French troops are defeated in battle on the Plains of Abraham The Treaty of Paris cedes New France to the British Crown The Québec Act of 1774 recognizes Québec s language, religion, and law The Constitutional Act creates two provinces : Upper Canada and Lower Canada The Union Act of 1840 unites Upper and Lower Canada in one province The British North America Act unites the provinces of Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into a federation The Parliament of Québec creates its first public healthcare regime Women gain the right to vote in provincial elections School attendance becomes mandatory, and primary school is free Hydro-Québec is created. History 1960 The Quiet Revolution, a period of major social reforms, begins The Liberal government declares French the official language of Québec In a referendum vote, Quebecers reject a Parti québécois government proposal to negotiate sovereignty-association between Québec and the rest of Canada 1981 The Canadian government patriates the Canadian constitution from the United Kingdom without Québec s consent In a referendum vote, Quebecers reject a proposal to reform Canada s Constitution In a referendum vote, Quebecers reject a Parti québécois government proposal for Québec sovereignty and a partnership offer with the rest of Canada The Québec government and the Cree Nation sign an historic agreement called the Peace of the Brave.

6 Among the top twenty world leaders An Exporter Québec exports 57% of its GDP (CDN$230 billion or US$173 billion). Nearly two-thirds of its exports go to markets outside Canada. Approximately 85% of international exports go to the United States. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) gives Québec direct access to a market of over 400 million consumers, 130 million of whom are within 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) of Montréal. An Innovator Québec s high-tech sector accounts for one-third of total exports. R&D (Research and Development) spending by Québec companies is outpacing that of all G8 countries. In its July 2000 issue, the American magazine Wired ranked Montréal fifth among the world s leading new technology hubs, on a par with New York and Seattle, and ahead of Los Angeles, Paris, and Tokyo. Aerospace Québec is ranked sixth in the world for the manufacture of airplanes, helicopters, and satellites and their components. The aerospace industry is represented by some 260 companies, employing 40,000 people, and exporting 80% of its production. Economy

7 INO Information Technology There are over 7,000 companies in Québec s ICT sector, employing 120,000 people. Québec technology is well represented internationally thanks to world leaders such as IBM, Ericsson Communications, CGI, and DMR. Pharmaceutical/Biotech Industry The pharmaceutical/biotech industry in Québec is thriving. It accounts for over 15,000 jobs in 170 companies, including Astra-Zeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck Frosst, and Pfizer. About 50% of Canadian investments and 42% of jobs in the pharmaceutical sector are in Québec. Agrifood With fertile land, abundant fresh and saltwater, a favourable climate, and efficient production structures, Québec boasts a multitude of agricultural and seafood products that it exports to over 145 countries. Montréal and Québec City rank among the North American and European cities with the lowest operating costs for agrifood companies. Natural Resources Québec s freshwater supply is the third-largest in the world. The total forested area in Québec available for production is the size of Spain. Investissement Québec Education Québec is the world s second-largest producer of newsprint, the third-largest hydroelectric energy producer, and ranks among the top ten mineral producers. Tourism The tourism industry is one of Québec s economic pillars with Québec welcoming nearly 6 million visitors a year. Its rich history and unique geographic features make it an increasingly popular destination. The only fortified city north of Mexico, Québec City is the world s sixteenth most popular tourist destination. In 1985, UNESCO added the historic district of Québec s capital city to its prestigious World Heritage List. Old Québec was the first urban centre in North America to obtain this international recognition. Accessible to all Nearly 40% of the population aged 25 to 64 received post-secondary education, one of the highest rates in the world according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Québec is one of the world s biggest investors in education. Its system is made up of public and private institutions alike. In the public sector, education is free through to the end of high school, and tuition fees for post-secondary and university studies are the lowest in North America.

8 Aerial Hoop Costume: François Barbeau - photo : Al Seib - Cirque du Soleil inc. Culture Work of Jean-Paul Riopelle, L'Hommage à Rosa Luxemburg, (Detail), 1992 Succession Jean-Paul Riopelle/SODRAC - Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec - Photo: Kedl At the crossroads of Europe and the Americas Québec boasts remarkable artistic vitality. Its world-renowned artists draw inspiration from a multitude of sources French roots, North American culture, new cultural métissage, and high-tech media arts. Not only do culture, communications, and the arts constitute key elements of Québec s economy, they also play a strategic role in promoting Québec s identity. The limited size of the domestic market pushes artists to reach out beyond Québec s borders, making them true cultural ambassadors. Among these ambassadors are Céline Dion, Cirque du Soleil, Robert Lepage, Denys Arcand, Michel Tremblay, Jean-Paul Riopelle, Luc Plamondon, Les Violons du Roy, and La La La Human Steps. Québec Department of International Relations 525, boulevard René-Lévesque Est Québec (Québec) G1R 5R9 Téléphone : (418)