Useful tips

The following short headings present the information you’ll find most useful when planning your stay in Québec. Don’t hesitate to consult our FAQ as well for other questions concerning accommodations, attractions, activities and more.

Statutory holidays and school breaks

In Québec, most businesses, government offices, banks and stores are closed the following days:

New Year’s Day (January 1)

Good Friday

Easter Monday

Journée nationale des patriotes (patriots’ day, the second-to-last Monday in May)

National holiday (June 24)

Canada Day (July 1)

Labour Day (first Monday in September)

Thanksgiving (second Monday in October)

Christmas (December 25)

Many tourist sites remain open on statutory holidays. However, it’s always best to check with the site in question before setting out.

College and university students enjoy a weeklong break in November and another one in March, while elementary and high school students only get a break in March. (The exact name and dates of the break may vary between education levels and regions.) In addition, nearly one-quarter of Québec’s workers go on holiday during the last two weeks of July, a period traditionally known as the “construction holiday.” Certain tourist sites are much busier during these periods, so keep this in mind when planning your vacation!

See also:

Holidays (Québec Portal)

Taxes and tipping

Two taxes—the federal goods and services tax (GST) and the Québec sales tax (QST)—are added to the selling price of most goods and services. Several tourist regions also charge a specific tax on accommodations. The amount is $2 or $3 a night or 3% of the price of the room per night before GST and QST.

In Québec, tipping is de rigueur in restaurants, bars, taxis and hair salons. The amount, which is not included in the bill, generally represents 10% to 15% of the total bill before taxes. For quick tip calculations, Québecers normally add up both taxes (GST and QST), the sum of which equals approximately 13%. Tipping bellhops or porters is at your discretion (generally, $1 per bag carried).

The tax on lodging applicable in certain regions ($2 or $3 a night or 3% of the room price) is non-refundable, since it goes entirely toward regional tourism development. GST and QST are calculated on top of this tax, which does not apply to campsites.

See also:

Cost of living (Québec Portal)