Presented by Gil Gruber, MBA for the CEDEC Doing Business in Quebec conference, March 14-15, 2016

1. www.directobjective.ca (514) 485-0336
The Business Culture in
Québec:
Succeeding in Québec – Anecdotes & Tips from the Trenches
Gil Gruber, MBA
gil@directobjective.ca

2. Québec culture is
different!

3. Statutory Holidays
Common Canadian Holidays Québec
Family day (2nd or 3rd Monday in February) X
Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday) Easter Monday (Monday after Easter
Sunday)
Victoria Day (Monday preceding May 25th) National Patriots’ Day
X Féte Nationale
St. Jean Baptiste Day
Civic Holiday (First Monday in August) X

4. National Holiday Act
The majority of Québec employees are entitled to:
● January 1st (New Year’s Day)
● Good Friday or Easter Monday, at the employer’s
discretion
● The Monday preceding May 25th (National Patriots’
Day)
● June 24th (National Holiday)
● July 1st. If this date falls on a Sunday, July 2nd
● The 1st Monday in September (Labour Day)
● The 2nd Monday in October (Thanksgiving)
● December 25th (Christmas Day).
Note: Employees of the clothing industry are also entitled to January 2nd, Good Friday and Easter Monday.

5. Working Hours
● 9:00am to 5:00pm● 9:00am to 5:00pm● 9:00am to 5:00pm
● 09:00 to 17:00

6. Respect for Work Life Balance

7. Sick Days

8. French is the language of business
Bill 101, Charte de la langue française (1977),
made French the official language of:
● Government and courts in the province of
Québec
● The workplace, instruction, communications,
commerce and business

9. French is the language of business
● French (Québec) documentation is a must
● Fully bilingual service
● Bilingual business cards
● Signs/posters - French text predominating
● All business communication (internal and
external) should be in French (unless agreed
otherwise)

10. Equality & Diversity

11. Professional Culture
● Punctual
● Self-confidence
● Quality vs. Quantity
● Informality
● Entrepreneurship
● A lack of cumbersome procedures

12. Business Etiquette (1)
● Dress code - may vary from place to place
● Business success relies on building personal
relationships
● Business meals do not usually run for more
than 60-90 minutes
● Networking (5 à 7 - Cinq à Sept) is an
essential practice in the Quebec business
world
● Be in the know -

13. Business Etiquette (2)
● The organizational structure is flexible
● Some works may be laid-back
● Respect for hierarchy, but decisions are
usually consensus-based
● Family members play a role in the decision-
making process
● Work-related materials you present should
be short and to the point

14. Merci.
www.directobjective.ca (514) 485-0336