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I know there are lots of posts on working in English in Montreal, but this is a bit more specific. I'm an Australian civil engineer with about 3 years experience and am planning to move to Montreal later this year (my girlfriend is quebecoise). I speak some French (say intermediate level), definitely enough to get by day to day, but not enough to work in yet. I also speak Spanish (don't know if that helps?).
I'm just wondering if anyone knows if:
1) Any civil engineering work in Montreal is conducted in English?
2) Anyone knows of any engineering companies in Montreal that work partly or entirely in English?
3) Municipalities in western Montreal (Anglophone areas) work in English or French?
Before a war erupts; I like french, am learning and am not ignorant and expect to speak English all the time in Montreal. I just want some practical information about my prospects of getting a job as an engineer when I first arrive!
I have only a slight familiarity with the civil engineering field. My sense is that almost all of the work in Quebec takes place in French, almost certainly if the public sector is involved.
As you noted there are some majority anglo municipalities on the west island of Montreal but my sense is that their official works are usually conducted in French as well. I base this on calls for tenders that I have seen mostly in French-language newspapers, and the fact that municipal employees like engineers, clerks, etc. even in the places with more anglos often seem to be francophones.
In many cases with these municipalities projects are run jointly with the provincial government, or neighbouring municipalities, or across the Montreal metropolitan area. All of which mean they'd be run in French.
In the past, you could probably coast. Not now. With the election of Pauline Marois, the Language Taliban is out in full force. You absolutely must speak French.
In the past, you could probably coast. Not now. With the election of Pauline Marois, the Language Taliban is out in full force. You absolutely must speak French.
No. There are many smaller engineering firms for whom the law does not require working in french, and whose clients prefer english.
Even if that weren't the case, an engineer could get by with extremely poor french, perhaps with help from a french-speaking secretary or colleague for certain tasks or documents.
Not speaking french will close many doors, but not all of them if you're a professional in a field with a lot of b2b services.
I take it no-one that has posted actually has first or second hand experience though? It is more based on their general understanding?
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