Im planning to ride my motorcycle from Ontario to the east coast of Canada this summer. I want to stay in Canada the whole time (not go in the US) which means im forced to pass through Quebec. The province is so big that I think I’ll have to get a hotel room for the night. Not being able to speak French would getting a room be like pulling teeth, and do most people in Quebec speak some English?
#1 by Carl F on November 7th, 2010
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No. When I was there several years ago, particularly in and around Montreal, most people spoke English. I was even able to get an English speaking rock and roll station on the radio. But this might be an issue if you go out into the smaller towns. Learn to say “Parlez vous Englais,” (Do you speak English?) and keep saying it to people until you find somebody.
#2 by .::HigHTecH::. on November 7th, 2010
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Most people in Quebec speak,read and understand English so I don’t think you would have a problem while you’re there.
#3 by Ottguy on November 7th, 2010
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It obviously helps to speak french, but is not necessary in most places along the highway..you’ll only have trouble in remote areas (North of Quebec City)
That being said, It takes about 8 hours to drive through Quebec and into New Brunswick. I make the drive from Ottawa every year, and if I’m tired, I usually stop outside Quebec City (Levis…just off the 20). There’s also a nice hotel in Montmagny (30min north of Quebec).
If you’ve never been, I’d definatly stay in Quebec city and you can check out the old fort.
Have a great trip!
#4 by SteveN on November 7th, 2010
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You should not have any problems finding english-speaking Quebecers along the Transcanada highway. Most restaurants and hotels along that route deal with truckers from the maritimes and Ontario all the time who do not speak French.
Just be polite and try to find someone who can speak with you in either English or broken English. If they want your business, I’m sure you can find someone.
By the way, it is not just Quebec you should worry about for the French language, most parts of northern and western New Brunswick have people who speak Acadian French. When I went to a Tim Hortons in St. Jacques, NB and I tried to speak English to the waitress, she did not understand me. Then I tried Quebecois French (I am from Montreal), and she STILL did not understand me right away. lol!
#5 by Karen L on November 7th, 2010
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You’ll be fine,though you will find Quebecois and people in New Brunswick who speak English with difficulty. But even if you spoke French it might not help because Quebec French can be dramatically different from the Parisian French spoken everywhere else.