About the North Shore

The North Shore is the second largest region in Quebec, with the main centres of commerce and industry in Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles. The landscape and natural beauty of the region is majestic, but we understand that life in the north can sometimes seem isolating. We have developed this section specifically for newcomers who wish to become better acquainted with the services available (particularly in English) and to share some ways to get involved in your new community. We believe that taking part in community activities is one of the best ways to make new friends and feel like you belong in your new home.

Your newcomer’s package can be picked from the NSCA offices in Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles. The package contains a handy toolkit to navigate your way around the region. You can also download our Community Directory to view our list of community resources, which will help you settle into our region. You can also browse the different sections of our website, which contain information on different topics for newcomers as well as on the many NSCA community programs.

Let’s Get Connected

Join the NSCA

To keep up with the latest community news and events, please consider joining the NSCA, as well as our Facebook Group.

Membership is free and, as well as invitations to our community events, you will receive a free copy of our newsletter, “Let’s Get Connected,” published four times a year, to share the latest news and events across the region.

Contact the NSCA at (418) 296-1545 or fill out the form to join.

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The Region

The North Shore region, located in northeastern Quebec, is the second largest region in the province. The territory stretches over 1,280 kilometres, from the city of Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon, and includes Anticosti Island as well as the cities of Schefferville and Fermont located in the northernmost part of the region.

The North Shore Community Association (NSCA) is mandated to represent and serve the English-language minority communities in Quebec’s North Shore, a constituent territory composed of five MRCs (municipalités régionales de comté – regional county municipality), spanning from Tadoussac to Havre Saint-Pierre and including Fermont and Schefferville. The region’s population of 2,460 English speakers includes also the Naskapi population, the region’s first-official-language-anglophone First Nations.

Caniapiscau

The MRC of Caniapiscau contains five communities: the towns of Fermont and Schefferville, as well as two Montagnais communities—Matimekush and Lac-John—and the Naskapi community of Kawawachikamach.

Total population: 3,885
English-speaking: 915

Sept-Rivières

The MRC of Sept-Rivières consists of five communities: the territory of Lac-Walker, the town of Port-Cartier, the city of Sept-Îles, and the First Nation reserves of Maliotenam and Uashat.

Total population: 33,790
English-speaking: 1,115

La Haute-Côte-Nord

The MRC of la Haute-Côte-Nord consists of nine communities: the town of Forestville, the municipalities of Colombier, Les Bergeronnes, Les Escoumins, Longue-Rive, Portneuf-sur-Mer, Sacré-Coeur, the village of Tadoussac, and the First Nation reserve of Essipit.

Total population: 10,278
English-speaking: 40

Manicouagan

The MRC of Manicouagan consists of 10 communities: the city of Baie-Comeau, the villages of Baie-Trinité, Chute-aux-Outardes, Godbout, Pointe-aux-Outardes, Pointe-Lebel, and Ragueneau, the territory of Rivière-aux-Outardes, the municipality of Franquelin, and the First Nation reserve of Pessamit.

Total population: 29,890
English-speaking: 315

Minganie

The MRC of Minganie consists of 10 communities: the municipalities of Aguanish, Baie-Johan-Beetz, Havre-Saint-Pierre, l’Île-d’Anticosti, Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Rivière-au-Tonnerre, Rivière-Saint-Jean and Natashquan, and the First Nation reserves of Mingan and Natashquan.

Total population: 6,509
English-speaking: 75