The first few weeks
Register for health insurance, then with the Québec Family Doctor Finder. For children, French-language schools are run by the school service centre for your sector; English public schools are run by the Western Québec School Board and require a certificate of eligibility. A library card is free and opens plenty of doors.
Five sectors, one city
Since 2002, Gatineau has brought together the former cities of Hull, Aylmer, Gatineau, Buckingham and Masson-Angers. City services are the same everywhere, but schools belong to different service centres depending on the sector.
Getting help
The City has a welcome page for new residents, and the library offers services designed for newcomers. For any municipal question, 311 is the way in.
Official sources
- New residentsThe City’s welcome for people moving in.gatineau.ca
- Québec Family Doctor Finder (GAMF)Get on the list to be assigned a family doctor.cisss-outaouais.gouv.qc.ca
- CSS des Portages-de-l’Outaouais FRFrench-language public schools in the Hull and Aylmer sectors.csspo.gouv.qc.ca
- CSS des Draveurs FRFrench-language public schools in east Gatineau.cssd.gouv.qc.ca
- Western Québec School BoardEnglish-language public schools in Gatineau, the Pontiac and western Québec.westernquebec.ca
- Library – newcomersWhat the library offers people who have just arrived.gatineau.ca
- Find your housing office FRThe directory of housing offices for a social-housing application.quebec.ca