Best Jobs in Quebec for English Speakers (Surviving Bill 96 in 2026)

Let’s rip the bandage off immediately: Quebec is not like the rest of Canada.

If you move to Toronto or Vancouver, the only barrier to employment is your skill. In Quebec, the barrier is the Charter of the French Language, specifically the new, stricter rules introduced by Bill 96 (Law 14).

In 2026, companies with 25+ employees must operate in French. Employers are legally required to justify why they need to hire an English speaker. If they can’t prove the job requires English (e.g., dealing with clients in New York), they must hire a French speaker.

This has scared away many anglophone workers.

However, the opportunity is still massive. Montreal remains one of the most affordable big cities in North America, and it is a global capital for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Video Games, and Aerospace. These industries sell to the world, not just Quebec. Because of this, the working language in many offices is still English—even if the signs on the wall are in French.

If you are an anglophone looking to work in La Belle Province, here is your survival guide.

1. The "Tech & AI" Bubble (Downtown Montreal)

The language of code is English.

The Employers: Google DeepMind, Mila (AI Institute), Shopify, Morgan Stanley Technology.

The Vibe: International.

• The Job: Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Cloud Architect.
• The Pay: $90,000 – $140,000 per year.
• The Loophole: Tech talent is scarce. A company like Ubisoft or Behaviour Interactive cannot find enough French-speaking senior developers to fill their seats. They have to hire internationally.
• The Reality: In the office, meetings might switch between French and English ("Franglais"). You don't need perfect French, but you need "Water Cooler French" to make friends.
• Bill 96 Impact: These companies have "Francization Certificates," but for technical roles, English is often the "Language of Work" because the clients are global.

2. Aerospace & Aviation (The West Island)

The language of the sky is English.

The Employers: Bombardier, Airbus (Mirabel), CAE, Bell Textron.

Location: Dorval, Saint-Laurent, Mirabel.

• The Job: Aerospace Engineer, Aircraft Mechanic (AME), Supply Chain Manager.
• The Pay: $70,000 – $110,000 per year.
• Why it works: Aviation is federally regulated and international. A pilot in Japan speaks English to a tower in Montreal. Because of this, the aerospace sector is historically very anglophone-friendly.
• The Location: These jobs are mostly in the "West Island" (Pointe-Claire, Dorval, Kirkland). This area feels like Ontario. You can live, shop, and work here for years without speaking a word of French (though it is disrespectful not to try).

3. Video Game Industry (Creative Hub)

Montreal is the Hollywood of Video Games.

The Employers: Ubisoft, Eidos, Warner Bros Games, Keywords Studios.

The Job: 3D Artist, Game Tester, Level Designer.

The Pay:

* Tester: $20.00 – $25.00 per hour.

• Senior Dev: $100,000+ per year.
  • The Culture: Extremely diverse. Studios hire talent from Brazil, France, the US, and China. English is the common denominator.
  • The Entry: "Game Testing" (QA) is a classic entry point for English speakers. You play the game in English to test for bugs.
  • Related: This pairs well with the "Tech" roles mentioned in our IT Support Guide.

4. Remote Work for US Companies (The Ultimate Hack)

Live in Montreal, Work in New York.

The Strategy: Bypass the local economy entirely.

• The Setup: You live in Montreal (paying cheap rent), but you work remotely for a company based in Toronto, New York, or San Francisco.
• The Legality: As long as the company has no physical office in Quebec, they are generally not subject to Quebec's language laws regarding internal meetings.
• The Pay: You earn USD or Toronto wages while paying Montreal rent ($1,500/mo vs $2,500/mo). This is the single most lucrative strategy for anglophones in 2026.
• The Catch: You will likely need to be a "Contractor" rather than an employee, meaning you handle your own taxes.

5. Specialized Finance (Back Office)

Money talks, usually in English.

The Employer: Morgan Stanley (Technology Center), PSP Investments.

Location: Downtown Montreal.

• The Job: Cybersecurity, Fraud Analysis, Quantitative Analysis.
• The Context: Morgan Stanley has a massive technology hub in Montreal that supports their New York operations. Because they service US markets, the business language is English.
• Note: Do not apply for "Financial Advisor" or "Teller" roles at local banks (Desjardins/National Bank). Those require 100% fluent French. Stick to the "Back Office" technology and analyst roles.

6. Manufacturing & Logistics (West Island)

Blue-collar work in English zones.

The Employers: Medisca, Future Electronics, Warehouses in Lachine/Baie-D'Urfé.

The Job: Forklift Operator, Picker/Packer, Machine Operator.

The Pay: $20.00 – $28.00 per hour.

The Zone: The industrial parks along Highway 40 and Highway 20 in the West Island are filled with companies that operate primarily in English due to the local workforce demographics.

Comparison Table: The "English Friendly" Score

Practical Questions Answered

"Can I get by with zero French?"

Socially? Yes. Professionally? It's risky.

• The Reality: You can live in the West Island, go to English pubs, and watch English TV. But if you lose your "English" job, your options are tiny. You are trapping yourself.
• The Advice: Take the free government French courses (Francisation). They pay you a small stipend to learn. Even reaching "Level 4" (Basic Conversation) opens 50% more doors.

"What about English hospitals?"

They exist, but rules are tightening.

• The MUHC: The McGill University Health Centre (Glen Site) and the Jewish General Hospital operate largely in English. However, under Bill 96, they are required to communicate with patients in French unless the patient specifically requests English (and qualifies for it). As an employee, you must be able to speak French to patients for safety reasons. You cannot be a unilingual nurse anymore.

"Is rent still cheap?"

Compared to Toronto, yes.

• The Math: A nice 1-bedroom in the Plateau is $1,600. In Toronto, it’s $2,600.
• The Trade-off: Income taxes in Quebec are the highest in North America. You pay less rent, but you keep less of your paycheck.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bill 96?

The Language Law.

It mandates that all businesses must serve clients in French and that French is the language of work. It allows employees to sue if they feel they are being forced to work in English without justification.

Which neighborhoods are best for Anglophones?

The West Side.

• NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce): Very mixed, student vibes, English-friendly.
• Westmount: Wealthy, very English.
• Pointe-Claire / Beaconsfield: The suburbs. 80% English.
• The Plateau: Trendy, very French (but everyone speaks English).

Can my kids go to English school?

Likely NO.

This is the big one. Unless you (the parent) went to an English school in Canada, your children are legally required to attend French public school. You cannot buy your way into English private school to bypass this. This law is strictly enforced.

About the author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian career researcher and digital entrepreneur. He tracks real-time labour market data, government hiring trends, and entry-level opportunities to help newcomers and students navigate the Canadian job market.

Sources

• Legisquebec (Charter of the French Language): https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/document/cs/c-11
• Montreal International (Tech Jobs): https://www.montrealinternational.com/en/
• English Montreal School Board (Eligibility): https://www.emsb.qc.ca/

Note:

Job availability, wages, and hiring conditions can vary widely by province, employer, season, and experience level. All salary ranges and job examples in this guide are estimates based on current labour market data. Always confirm details directly with the employer before applying.