Fun Facts About Quebec | TMO - The Montreal Office

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FUN FACTS ABOUT QUÉBEC

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CATHOLIC
TO THE CORE

Quebec's religious legacy

Roman Catholicism is stronger in Quebec than any other province

Once referred to as the "Tibet of Catholicism," for centuries Quebec was a rural, conservative province with a church at the heart of every village. By 1900, there was almost one church official per 100 people (a ratio that makes Starbucks embarrassed). The church's influence has faded considerably since then, following the Quiet Revolution that secularized the province in the sixties, but it's still part and parcel of the culture.

SNOW
GOING!

A distinct winter culture

Quebecers have learned to live with winter,
for better or worse

In Quebec, snow and cold are facts of life. A heavy blizzard might shut down the city—and maybe even bring out the army—in Vancouver or Toronto, but not in la belle province. People have adapted. The law requires everyone to put snow tires on their car in winter. Montreal's fleet of 2,000-plus snow removal vehicles is ready to rumble into action whenever the city gets snowed under.

CIRCUS
REINVENTED

Exporting talent

Quebec is leading the new wave of
contemporary circuses

In Quebec, watching a couple of guys in leotards, playing on swings, caked in makeup is normal. In fact, it's big business. One of the province's most famous exports is Cirque du Soleil, which contrary to what some might think, was not born in Las Vegas. Founded in 1984 by a couple of unknown street performers, it has transformed the big top experience from lowbrow entertainment to high art.

HUMOUR
IS BIG

A multi-million
dollar business

In Quebec, comedy gets big laughs—and big bucks

French-language comedy might get lost in translation, but there's no mistaking the fact that the humour business is no joke in Quebec. The province is home to the world's biggest comedy festival, Just For Laughs. Few outside the province may have seen hockey comedy Les Boys or its sequels, but that hasn't stopped it becoming one of the highest-grossing film franchises in Canadian history.

LESS PILLS
MORE WINE

Quebecers buy differently

Quebecers' purchasing habits set them apart
from other Canadians

The French connection in Quebec goes well beyond language. In many ways, Quebecers' buying habits are more European than North American. They buy more imported cheese than the rest of Canada. They buy fewer spirits and much more wine—indeed, Quebec is the rare province where per-capita wine sales rival beer sales.

GIVING
TO CHARITY

Quebecers "donate"
to the lottery

The average Quebecer is more likely to
gamble than give

Given the exorbitant taxes they pay, you'd think Quebecers would be fed up handing over money to the government. Not so: it seems they're much happier forking over their hard-earned cash to state-run lotteries than giving it to worthy causes. Quebec has ranked dead last among Canada's provinces in donations to registered charities for 15 straight years.

THE
RELIGION
OF HOCKEY

Riot? What riot?

Quebecers care about their hockey—sometimes a little too much

Quebec is a famously Catholic culture, but the province's true religion is hockey. Quebecers worship the Montreal Canadiens, or Habs, with the fanaticism of zealots. Their religion has a cathedral (the Bell Centre arena) and saints (including legendary forward Maurice Richard and goalie Patrick Roy, aka "Saint Patrick).

STAYING
UP LATE

Partying till 3 a.m.

Quebecers keep the good times going deep into the night

In Quebec, the legal drinking age is 18 and closing time is 3 a.m.—a combination that makes it pretty much the best place to (legally) have a good time in North America. No surprise then that Montreal has earned a well-deserved reputation as a party town, with no shortage of late-night options for eating, drinking and dancing.

FESTIVAL FEVER

Canada's festival capital

Quebecers love their festivals, holding more than any other province

Jazz, comedy, experimental music, comic books, dragon boat racing, cult cinema, tattoo art—you name it, Quebec has a festival for it. In summer, it seems there's a different one every weekend, while winter features major occasions like the Quebec Carnival. Books are no exception: Quebec has the most book fairs in North America.

MADE IN QUEBEC

Quebecers like to see themselves on TV

Quebecers watch more TV than any other province, most of it homegrown

For the average English-speaking Canadian, domestic TV is about as appealing as a plate of broccoli. In French-speaking Canada, it's another story entirely. Quebecers love their homegrown shows, which account for a whopping 80% of their viewing. The province—which watches more TV than any other—has a booming French-language broadcasting industry.

SEXUAL ATTITUDE

Quebecers do it better

Quebecers are more permissive than the rest of Canada—and not afraid to flaunt it

Quebec, like France, is notable for its open-minded attitude toward sexuality. Perhaps it's something to do with the fact that they speak the language of love. Studies also show that Quebecers are more tolerant of sex in advertising and more sexually active than their anglophone counterparts.

MARRIAGE? NON MERCI!

Refusing to commit

Many Quebecers reject the institution of marriage

Despite the province's traditional Catholic background, when it comes to marriage, many Quebecers opt for "I don't" instead of "I do." Rather than taking vows, they become common-law spouses by living together, entitling them to some rights of married couples.

THE BLOCK QUÉBÉCOIS

Quebecers kinda sorta want their own country

Quebecers like the idea of an independent Quebec more than the reality

In Quebec, nothing is certain except death, taxes... and talk of separation. The idea of independence is always there, whether at the centre of public debate or bubbling away below the surface. Despite the tub-thumping of politicians, however, many Quebecers get cold feet when asked to commit.

LOCAL HEROES

A homegrown star system

Quebec has a veritable constellation of francophone stars who have never crossed over

Given her media (over)exposure, you could be forgiven for thinking Céline Dion was the only star Quebec has ever produced. In reality, the province has many native stars, whose projects and personal lives receive so much coverage on talk shows and gossip rags that they're practically like family.

POUTINE
FOR PRESIDENT

A taste for excess

When it comes to food, Quebecers like to indulge themselves

Quebec's most famous culinary creation is of course poutine, a mess of fries, gravy and cheese curds that should come with a warning label. But the province has plenty of other tasty ways to increase your risk of a heart attack. Quebecers are excessively fond of heavy, rich foods.

A UNIQUE CAISSE

Quebecers don't bank on the bank

Quebecers take a different approach to managing their money

Most Quebecers don't have a traditional bank account. Not that they keep their money under the mattress—instead of banks, they put it in Desjardins, an association of "caisse populaires" (credit unions). Founded in 1900 near Quebec City, Desjardins was North America's first credit union.

The Montréal Office provides creative communications and PR solutions for the Québec market that are beyond the more traditional components. We master new media and new PR tools to build and promote your brand.

The starting point to any successful Québec campaign is anchoring your news in the local culture, making it relevant and useful to your audience. Our team of seasoned professionals can help maximize buzz and talk-ability about your brand by re-focusing your message to unlock Québec public interest. We can amplify your message on any medium: print, broadcast or digital.

CATHOLICTO THE CORE

SNOWGOING!

CIRCUSREINVENTED

HUMOURIS BIG

LESS PILLSMORE WINE

GIVINGTO CHARITY

THERELIGIONOF HOCKEY

STAYINGUP LATE