The Quebec France Labor Mobility Agreement

Artists, organizations and businesses are increasingly developing collaborative projects in the field of culture, which can encompass everything from cultural heritage, digital arts and literature to visual arts, performing arts, singing, music and film. Quebec is one of the most sought-after destinations for french-speaking Belgian students and young Belgians. The two agreements signed today, which will promote mobility and communication, are now part of an already well-established dynamic, associated with a growing and shared interest. Work to promote the recognition of diplomas necessary for student mobility is continuing, which benefits specialized schools and Quebec universities. The enthusiasm of the communities of Quebec and the Belgian French Community for sustainable cooperation between young people is undeniable. In this rapidly changing world, with young people with countless interests, we are adapting so that we can continue to work together for an enduring goal: to enable young people to achieve their dreams and realize themselves. Another agreement was signed in November 2010 to create a professional mobility zone between Québec and France. This agreement on occupational mobility and integration of immigrants should streamline the conditions of entry and residence in the areas concerned, improve access to employment opportunities and allow immigrants to enter the labour market. The two heads of government also signed a second cooperation agreement between the Office Québec-Monde pour la jeunesse (OQMJ) and the Bureau international jeunesse (BIJ). This agreement will allow the more than 500 young French-speaking and Belgian Quebecers supported each year by these organizations to benefit from a more flexible management, adapted to mobility projects in both territories.

It will soon be easier for Quebec and French workers to live and work in jurisdictions in other countries. A new labour mobility agreement, signed by Quebec Premier Jean Charest and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, will deregulate a dozen trades and almost as many trades in France and Quebec to allow foreign candidates to quickly enter the job market. The two governments have agreed to accept the equivalence of the other`s diplomas and training titles for certain professions. Since the signing of the first cultural cooperation agreement in 1965, culture has been at the heart of relations between France and Québec. To date, culture is one of the most productive and lively areas of cooperation between France and Quebec. Artists, organizations and companies are increasingly developing collaborative projects in the field of culture, which can encompass everything from heritage, digital art and literature to visual arts, visual arts, singing, music and film. In addition, numerous bilateral agreements have been signed between higher education institutions and universities (notably between laboratories and research centres) that have allowed thousands of students from Quebec and France to cross the Atlantic to exploit exchange opportunities that now go well beyond the framework of the CPCFQ. Two professional mobility agreements have been signed with France and are currently in force. In October 2008, the Premier of Québec and the President of the French Republic signed an agreement on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. As part of this agreement, France and Québec have expressly agreed to apply a common procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications in order to obtain more easily and more quickly the legal authorization necessary for the exercise of a regulated profession or activity in France and Québec. At a time when Quebec is in the midst of a labour shortage, we must be able to offer Quebecers the best possible training all their lives.