Québec Cityruns on a handful of strong industries. If you’re job-hunting or weighing a move, here’s where the opportunities (and the big-name employers) are.
Top industries & employers
Public administration
Government of Quebec ministries, the National Assembly, Revenu Québec, Ville de Québec, Hydro-Québec
The provincial government is far and away the largest employer in the region — the National Assembly, most ministries and Revenu Québec's head office are all here. Recruitment is in French without exception and many roles require Canadian citizenship or permanent residence.
Insurance & financial services
iA Financial Group, Beneva, Desjardins (Lévis), Promutuel, La Capitale
One of Canada's two insurance capitals. iA Financial Group and Beneva are both headquartered in the city, and Desjardins — the largest financial institution in Quebec — has its head office directly across the river in Lévis.
Software & digital
Coveo, Optel Group, LeddarTech, Korem, Beenox, Frima
Concentrated in Saint-Roch, the old working-class Lower Town district deliberately rebuilt around technology firms in the 2000s. Coveo is the flagship, and it is one of the few local employers where English is a working language.
Optics & photonics
INO, ABB Québec, Telops, Optel, Photon etc.
An unusually dense optics cluster grown around the Institut national d'optique and Université Laval's Centre d'optique, photonique et laser — a specialism this city has and most of Canada does not.
Higher education & health research
Université Laval, CHU de Québec–Université Laval, INRS, Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie
Université Laval is the oldest French-language university in North America and anchors both the research hospitals and the optics cluster. Its Sainte-Foy campus is effectively a second downtown.
Tourism & hospitality
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Carnaval de Québec, Festival d'été de Québec, Groupe Le Massif
A UNESCO-listed old town and a genuine winter season make tourism a year-round employer rather than a summer one, and the sector's labour shortage here is chronic and well paid by Canadian hospitality standards.
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