Carnets de route contains information specifically aimed at refugees and refugee claimants, as well as the people assisting them. Carnets de route is intended to help you with the process of settling in when you arrive and during your first few years in Québec.
With Carnets de route, you will enjoy an engaging experience: reliable, organized and accessible information about Québec society, steps to take, to-do lists, timelines, summary diagrams and much more!
Select whether you would like to view the website in English or French, then answer the following three questions to be directed to the right information.
The content of Carnets de route was updated in November 2023, unless otherwise indicated. Some elements may have changed since then. If in doubt, consult the sources and resources in this section. You can also report any information requiring change through Technical Support. Update dates may vary by section.
For sources related to the contents of this page, see the complete bibliography.
If you separate from your child’s other parent, there are multiple steps you will have to take, particularly in terms of child custody, support payments and dividing property.
Depending on your situation, you may also need to take steps to change your marital status and health and prescription drug coverage.
For more information about the steps to take, see the Rights and Protections section of the Carnets de route website.
CLSCLocal community service centre and a number of family support organizations offer a wide range of perinatal care services: pregnancy follow-up, prenatal workshops, postnatal follow-up, breastfeeding support, vaccinations, etc.
For information in multiple languages on services and access to professionals during your pregnancy, register with the Ma grossesse service.
If you give birth in Québec, your baby will be a Canadian citizen and will be covered by the RAMQRégie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (health care and prescription drug insurance). For information on how to register your child with the RAMQRégie de l’assurance maladie du Québec , please see the Health Care section of Carnets de route.
In Québec, children’s rights are protected by the Youth Protection Act, regardless of their immigration status. The Director of Youth Protection (DYPDirector of Youth Protection ) is responsible for enforcing this law and protecting children.
See the Daycare and Education section.
From the age of 14, young people can make their own appointments and attend medical consultations on their own. Young people can generally consent to care by themselves (including contraception). A person aged 14 or over can therefore ask to be alone (without the presence or the consent of their parents or guardian) when seeing a nurse, doctor or counsellor, for example, and can make their own decisions about their health care.
You can get sexual health care like contraception or screenings for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections at CLSCLocal community service centre
and some medical clinics. Screenings are generally free or low-cost.
Abortion is available and legal in Québec.
There are laws and resources to protect you from discrimination (for example, due to your gender) and violence (for example, from your spouse, a child or another family member). Many forms of violence are illegal and can be punished by sanctions.
Information for future parents and parents of children aged 0–8
Workshops and mobile clinics on parenting and parent-child relationships
Support for parents of youth
Phone and chat available
Support for youth and families in difficulty
Information for future parents and parents of children aged 0–2
