Québec Values Test study guide: key rules on all 11 topics

Free Québec Values Test study guide: 186 key points from the Democratic values and Québec values as expressed in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms — Practical Guide in plain words, organised by topic, each topic linked to its practice questions.

By the Canada Exam Prep Editorial Team · Updated October 17, 2026

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This study guide collects our notes on every topic of the Québec Values Test (Assessment of Democratic and Québec Values) on one page: 186 short points in our own words, grouped by topic and by handbook section. Read it from top to bottom before your first practice test, or jump to a topic from the list below.

Each topic ends with a link to its practice questions, so you can check what you just read straight away, and a link to the official chapter for the full wording. The notes summarise the Democratic values and Québec values as expressed in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms — Practical Guide from the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI); they do not replace it, and where our notes and the official source differ, the official source wins.

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French, the common language

French as Québec's only official and common language, the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101, 1977), French in work, school and public services, and free French courses for immigrants.

Practise French, the common language questions Flashcards Official chapter

Key 1: French in Québec

French is at the centre of Québec identity: it carries Québec culture and is the shared symbol of belonging.
Québec is the only majority French-speaking society in North America, which makes it a distinct society in Canada and on the continent.
The Charter of the French Language (also called Bill 101) was adopted in 1977; it is the main measure protecting and promoting French.
Its goal: ensure the quality, protection and influence of French and make it the common language.
French is the language of the State and of the law.
French is the normal, everyday language of work, teaching, communications, commerce and business.
Québec's public administration must communicate with the public in French and give access to all its services in French.
Québec culture is expressed mainly in French: theatre, songs, film, novels, poetry, museums.

Key 1: French, the common language of the Québec nation

As the common language, French is the language of welcome and integration for immigrants, of intercultural communication and of taking part in Québec's distinct culture.
French speakers make up only about 2% of North America's population.
Under Québec law, French is the only official language of Québec.
Everyone domiciled in Québec has the right to learn French.
Professional orders issue licences only to people whose French is adequate for their profession.
Under the Charter of the French Language, immigrants' children attend French-language school until the end of secondary school, with some exceptions.
The Québec government offers free full-time or part-time French courses and financial assistance to immigrants.
Useful habits: speak French in your neighbourhood, follow French-language media, listen to Québec music, films and TV, join discussion groups, build a French-speaking network.
Knowing French helps you find a job that matches your skills, understand cultural reference points and build social ties.
French is presented as the language of social cohesion for all Quebecers.

Elections and forming the government

Representative democracy, the 125 electoral divisions, how members are elected, who forms the government and the opposition, judicial recounts, and the free and secret vote.

Practise Elections and forming the government questions Flashcards Official chapter

Key 2: Québec, a democratic system

People exercise power by choosing their representatives in elections.
Elected representatives are called Members of the National Assembly (MNAs, députés); they usually belong to political parties with different ideas and projects.
Québec has 125 electoral divisions; each elects one member to the National Assembly.
In each division, the candidate with the most votes is elected.
The 125 members represent the population in the National Assembly: Québec is a representative democracy.
Members study, analyze and vote on bills and question and check the government's actions.
A member links the people of the division with the public administration.

Key 2: Forming the government

The party that elects the most members usually forms the government; its leader becomes Premier.
Members of the other parties form the opposition.
The Premier appoints the ministers, each responsible for an area.
Bills are studied and voted on by the members in the National Assembly.
An election result is never challenged by force or violence; a judicial recount (ballots recounted under a court's supervision) can be requested.
In a democracy, power passes from one party to another in an orderly, peaceful way.

Key 2: Taking part in elections

To vote or run in Québec elections (Election Act), you must, among other criteria, be 18 or older, be a Canadian citizen and have been domiciled in Québec for six months.
A person without Canadian citizenship cannot vote but can get involved in a political party and attend its events.
Political financing and election spending follow the Election Act's principles of fairness and transparency.
The vote is free and secret: no one may stop a voter from voting, force them to vote for a candidate or make them reveal their choice.
These rules apply between family members too.

Rule of law and institutions

The rule of law, the legislative, executive and judicial powers, the Lieutenant Governor, the Conseil des ministres, Québec's courts, ministries, agencies and officers of the National Assembly.

Practise Rule of law and institutions questions Flashcards Official chapter

Key 2: The rule of law

Québec's democratic institutions developed in part to protect Québec's distinct, French-speaking character.
Rule of law: every person, like the State and its agents, must respect the law.
The law applies to everyone in the same way; no one is above the law.
Everyone present in Québec, citizen or not, must know and respect the rights and obligations in its laws.
All people are equal in worth and dignity and have equal protection of the law.
A person can be found guilty of an offence only if they broke a rule of law and a court has found them guilty.

Key 2: Institutions and their powers

Three powers: legislative, executive and judicial.
Legislative power: the Parliament of Québec, which passes laws; it is made up of the members of the National Assembly and the Lieutenant Governor.
The Lieutenant Governor does not sit in the Assembly but gives assent to bills that have been passed.
Executive power: the government (Premier and ministers, who are also members), forming the Conseil des ministres and setting the main directions.
Judicial power: the courts, which interpret and enforce the law (e.g. Court of Québec, Superior Court, Québec Court of Appeal).

Key 2: The public administration

The public administration (ministries and agencies) helps the government manage the State, applies the laws and serves the public.
Ministries are led by ministers (e.g. Immigration, Francisation and Integration; Education; Health and Social Services; Justice).
Government agencies are led by people the government appoints and have a specific mission (e.g. Revenu Québec; the CNESST; the Office québécois de la langue française).
Some people designated by the National Assembly hold public office, such as the Chief Electoral Officer and the Québec Ombudsman (Protecteur du citoyen).

Levels of government and Indigenous nations

Federal, provincial and shared powers, Québec City and Ottawa, municipal services and MRCs, Québec's eleven Indigenous nations, and lawful ways to take part in political life.

Practise Levels of government and Indigenous nations questions Flashcards Official chapter

Key 2: The organization of political power

The Canadian Constitution provides for two orders of government, federal and provincial, each with its own areas of jurisdiction.
Federal examples: defence, foreign policy, criminal law. The federal government sits in Ottawa, the capital of Canada.
Québec examples: education, municipalities, property and civil rights.
The Québec government sits at the National Assembly in Québec City, Québec's national capital.
Shared examples: immigration and agriculture.
Provinces give municipalities local services: police and fire, recreation and parks, libraries, garbage and recycling, public transit.
Other municipal bodies: regional county municipalities (MRCs), the Montréal and Québec metropolitan communities, regional administrations in the North.

Key 2: Indigenous nations

Québec has eleven Indigenous nations.
First Nations members and Inuit are citizens of Québec and are entitled to the same services as everyone.
They hold collective rights recognized by the Canadian Constitution or set out in agreements with Ottawa or Québec.
These rights let them carry out government functions themselves and develop their culture, language and traditions.
Indigenous leaders and organizations take part in Québec's political and democratic life.

Key 2: Taking part in political life

Ways to take part: stay informed about government projects, speak at a public meeting, volunteer for a party, vote in municipal, provincial and federal elections, submit a brief or ask to be heard in a public consultation, contact your member, have your member sponsor a private bill.
Locally: volunteer (culture, recreation, sports), attend municipal council meetings and ask questions, take part in municipal public consultations.

Freedom of expression, press and association

Freedom of expression and its limits, the duty of discretion of public servants, freedom of the press, freedom of association and peaceful demonstration.

Practise Freedom of expression, press and association questions Flashcards Official chapter

Key 2: Participation in democratic life

The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms protects two freedoms central to Québec values: freedom of expression (including freedom of the press) and freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

Key 2: Freedom of expression and its responsibilities

You may freely express your thoughts, beliefs and opinions, even disagreement with a law or government decision, without fear of reprisal.
Freedom of expression carries responsibility toward others' freedom and dignity; it can be limited by each person's right to protect their reputation.
Illegal: inciting someone to commit a crime, trying to harm someone's reputation, spreading discriminatory or hateful statements.
Some jobs carry a duty of discretion and neutrality: State public servants set aside their personal opinions at work.
Citizens are encouraged to express political opinions publicly, while respecting others' dignity and the duties of their job.

Key 2: Freedom of the press

The media (newspapers, radio, TV) enjoy freedom of the press.
Their role: inform the public about current events and present a range of opinions on public issues.
The media may present views that oppose those of the government in power.
Published opinions can come from journalists, independent experts, organizations or ordinary citizens; newspapers publish readers' opinion pieces.

Key 2: Freedom of association

Anyone may form or join a group to defend interests: a union, a political party, a chamber of commerce, a community organization, a lobby group.
Québec laws frame and protect these groups according to their activities (mutual help, volunteering, fundraising, for-profit or non-profit activities).
These organizations may disagree with the government and criticize it publicly.
A group may gather in a public space to demonstrate peacefully, within the law.

Equality between women and men

Equal rights in the couple and family, marriage at 18 and same-sex marriage, the ban on polygamy, shared family duties, equal access to education, equal pay and equal representation.

Practise Equality between women and men questions Flashcards Official chapter

Key 3: Equality between women and men in the couple and family

The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms enshrines equality of the sexes: its rights and freedoms are guaranteed equally to women and men.
Women and men have the same rights, obligations and responsibilities in private and public life.
Women and men can vote, sign contracts, choose to marry or divorce, decide whether to have children, study, work for equal pay for equivalent work, run for office, own or run a business.
Women control their own bodies, including the decision whether to have an abortion.
People marry or enter a civil union freely with the person of their choice.
The minimum age to marry without a court's authorization is 18, for women and men alike.
Marriage is the union of two people, of different sexes or the same sex.
Bigamy and polygamy are forbidden.
Anyone may separate or divorce; in a divorce, the woman and the man have the same rights and responsibilities.

Key 3: Family responsibilities

Partners, whatever their sex or gender, have the same rights and commitments toward each other and their children.
Shared responsibilities: managing property and finances, choosing where to live, raising the children, family values and rules.
The mother as well as the father can choose the child's name.
Society encourages an equal share of childcare and housework.
Equality keeps evolving; the government continues to act to advance it.

Key 3: Education, work and decision-making

Equality is a question of justice and also a driver of economic and social development.
Access to programs of study is equal: same admission criteria for all; schools offer everyone the same chances of success.
Women may study in traditionally male fields (construction, engineering, piloting) and men in fields such as nursing or secretarial work.
Employers must not discriminate based on sex; women have access to the same jobs.
Equivalent work: same pay and same working conditions.
Women have the same economic independence: find a job, pay bills, sign contracts, start a business, live alone if they choose.
Goal: equal representation of women and men at every level of decision-making; women can become mayor, MNA or Premier.
Equal representation is a legal requirement on the boards of state-owned enterprises.
Remedies and civil and penal sanctions exist when equality is not respected.

The Charter, life and personal security

The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and its limits, the duty to help a person in danger, physical and psychological integrity, consent, sexual exploitation and non-violence.

Practise The Charter, life and personal security questions Flashcards Official chapter

Key 4: The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms

The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms is a law passed by the National Assembly; it sets out and protects the values of Québec society.
It recognizes that all people are equal in worth and dignity and have the same legal protections.
It ranks above Québec's other laws and regulations: laws passed by the National Assembly must respect it.
It applies to everyone in Québec and to legal persons: groups, organizations, businesses and the government.
Categories of rights: fundamental freedoms and rights, the right to equality, political rights, judicial rights, economic and social rights.
Rights are exercised in society and have limits: they must not conflict with democratic values, State laicity, the importance of protecting French, public order and the population's well-being.
Example of a limit: during the COVID-19 pandemic, freedom of assembly and association were restricted temporarily for the population's well-being.

Key 4: The right to life, security and inviolability

Everyone has a right to security and protection of life; force may not be used against a person's life, integrity or freedom.
Anyone whose life is in danger has a right to assistance; everyone must help unless doing so endangers themselves or someone else.
Witness to an accident with an injured person: call emergency services and stay with the person until help arrives.
Acts meant to harm physically, psychologically or emotionally are forbidden, for example corporal punishment with an object or that can injure, and sexual or psychological harassment; adults and children are both protected.

Key 4: Consent

Consent must be clear, free and informed: these are the three conditions for it to be valid.
A person severely intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, or unconscious, cannot consent to sexual activity.
Consent is not valid if obtained through authority, threats, force, fraud or by taking advantage of the other person's vulnerability.
Consent can be withdrawn at any time and must be given for each sexual act.
The age of sexual consent in Québec is 16 (with exceptions between young people under 16).

Key 4: Sexual exploitation and non-violence

Sexual exploitation: using another person's body for sexual purposes to gain a financial, social or personal advantage; the exploiter can be someone close or a stranger.
More vulnerable people include those with addictions, in conflict with parents, runaways or going through a hard breakup; recruiting happens in public places (bus and metro stops, parks) and online.
Pimping, trafficking for sexual purposes, sex tourism and child pornography are Criminal Code offences; penalties are harsher when the victim is a minor.
The Youth Protection Act requires reporting any situation that may endanger the security or development of a person under 18.
Non-violence applies everywhere: family, couple, parents and children, neighbours, stores, State employees.
A non-consensual sexual act toward one's spouse violates their integrity.
A victim of physical violence, in private or public life, can file a police complaint.

Dignity, reputation and privacy

Respect for dignity, honour and reputation, personal information and images, intimate images, privacy at work, personal decisions and the inviolability of the home.

Practise Dignity, reputation and privacy questions Flashcards Official chapter

Key 4: Respect for persons

The Charter protects dignity, honour, reputation and privacy; violating them through words or actions can lead to legal consequences.
Example: showing contempt for someone by insulting their appearance.
Everyone must be treated with respect and dignity.
It is forbidden to state or publish false information about someone, or to accuse them without proof in order to harm them.

Key 4: The right to privacy

Private life must be respected; some information must not be made public without the person's permission.
Protected information (examples): health, family and love life, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, image, contact details.
On a sign-up form, you may give only the information relevant to the activity.
Do not share other people's personal information or images (photos, videos) without their permission.
It is forbidden to publish or send intimate images of a person without their consent.
At work, you may decline to answer questions from your employer or colleagues about your private life that are unrelated to work.
Privacy also protects the right to make fundamental personal decisions without pressure from others.
The home is inviolable: no one may enter a person's land or home, or take something from it, without consent.
Exception: in some serious situations police may enter without consent, for example to prevent someone from being seriously injured or killed.

Equality and non-discrimination

Grounds protected by the Charter, what counts as discrimination, examples in jobs and housing, discriminatory harassment, where to complain, and the ban on conversion therapy.

Practise Equality and non-discrimination questions Flashcards Official chapter

Key 4: The right to equality

All people are equal in worth and dignity, whatever their characteristics listed in the Charter.
Examples of listed grounds: race, colour, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, civil status, age, religion, political convictions, language, ethnic or national origin, social condition, disability.

Key 4: Discrimination

Discrimination exists when three elements are present: a distinction, exclusion or preference; based on a ground listed in the Charter; that harms the equal exercise of rights and freedoms.
Discrimination is forbidden in every area: employment, housing, access to stores and public places.
Examples: refusing service or a job to a gay person; refusing a job because someone is divorced with children; refusing access to a person with a disability; refusing to rent to a couple with children; paying someone less because they were born outside Québec; refusing a promotion because of origin or skin colour; firing a pregnant woman.
Refusing a job to someone who lacks the required diploma is not discrimination (guide example).

Key 4: Harassment

All harassment is forbidden, physical or psychological: hurtful remarks, threats, insults, assaults, graffiti.
Examples of discriminatory harassment: hateful graffiti on someone's car because of their religion; an employer's repeated remarks about a woman's competence because of her sex; threats to a person in a wheelchair; a neighbour's threats because of skin colour; crude comments online because of age.
Remedies: a complaint to the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse, or a case before the courts (Court of Québec, Superior Court).

Key 4: Legal and social equality

The government fights discrimination and invites everyone to respect diversity.
Actions: promote acceptance of sexual and gender diversity and oppose homophobia, transphobia and conversion therapy; raise awareness of prejudice and fight racism; include seniors and oppose elder abuse.
Conversion therapies try to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or expression; they are prohibited in Québec and cause suffering.

Collective solidarity, children's rights and youth protection, protecting seniors, safe workplaces, a healthy environment, and rights on arrest and at trial.

Practise Social, economic and judicial rights questions Flashcards Official chapter

Key 4: Economic and social rights

Economic and social rights are in the Charter; collective solidarity (helping people in need) is a central value.
They cover education, protection of children, seniors and people with disabilities, the cultural life of ethnic minorities, access to information, financial assistance and working conditions.

Key 4: Children's rights

Every child has a right to protection, security and attention from their parents; parents ensure the child's well-being, safety, education and development.
Example: leaving a young child alone and unsupervised in a car can be seen as failing the duty to keep the child safe.
Under-18s in Québec are protected by the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
A young person reported to or taken in charge by the Director of Youth Protection is also protected by the Youth Protection Act.
A teenager who breaks the Criminal Code or another federal law is dealt with under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Key 4: Other economic and social rights

Seniors and people with disabilities are entitled to protection from all forms of exploitation; their families must also look after their safety.
If you fear for a senior's safety, you can contact their family or social services.
Right to working conditions that respect health, safety and physical integrity: employers must provide a safe workplace.
Right to social and financial assistance measures.
Right to live in a healthy environment that respects biodiversity (the diversity of living things); the State, businesses and citizens all help protect the environment.
Expected habits: sort waste, recycle and compost, use reusable bags, avoid wasting drinking water.

Key 4: Judicial rights

People who are sued or accused also have rights in the Charter.
On arrest: the right to know the reasons for the arrest and the offence alleged.
Police may not search a person or a home without a judge's warrant, except in special cases (for example, reasonable grounds to believe someone's health or safety is in danger).
An arrested person may notify family and use a lawyer, and must be treated humanely and with respect.
Right to a fair and impartial trial.
Presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
The accused may represent themselves or have a lawyer, and may remain silent: they are not required to testify against themselves.

State secularism (laicity)

The separation of State and religion, the Church's historical role, freedom of religion, the 2019 Act respecting the laicity of the State, religious symbols and uncovered faces.

Practise State secularism (laicity) questions Flashcards Official chapter

Key 5: Secularism in Québec

The Québec State and its institutions are secular: their decisions are independent of religious powers.
Historically, the Catholic Church played a large role, especially in health and education.
From the 1960s, religion's influence declined and Church-run institutions were gradually secularized.
Laicity rests on four principles: separation of State and religion, the State's religious neutrality, equality of all citizens, freedom of conscience and religion.
Example: a patient's or caregiver's religion makes no difference to how quickly care is given.
Everyone may hold, practise and express the religious beliefs of their choice; religion is a prohibited ground of discrimination and harassment.

Key 5: State laicity

Purpose: to ensure the equality of all people, whatever their beliefs.
The Act respecting the laicity of the State was passed in 2019; it sets a model reflecting Québec's history and values.
Since March 27, 2019, it bars some people in positions of authority from wearing a religious symbol on duty, including new police officers, new criminal and penal prosecutors and new public primary and secondary school teachers.
People who wore a religious symbol and were in their job on March 27, 2019 may keep wearing it as long as they hold the same job in the same organization.
For identity checks or security, your face must be uncovered to receive some government services; State staff provide services with their face uncovered.
Québec is the only State in North America to have written laicity into its laws; State laicity is enshrined in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

About the Act respecting the laicity of the State (updated August 21, 2026)

The Act respecting the laicity of the State has quasi-constitutional status, on the same footing as the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
The secularism regime was strengthened in 2025 and 2026, so the list of people who may not wear a religious symbol at work is longer than the 2019 examples in the guide (for example subsidized private schools, subsidized child care, francization and integration services, youth protection).
Religious neutrality concerns the actions of the State and its representatives, not citizens' beliefs in private life; everyone may hold beliefs or none and may change religion.
Staff already in their job on the reference dates set by the law keep an acquired right as long as they stay in the same job with the same organization.

Written in our own words from: Democratic values and Québec values as expressed in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms — Practical Guide

FAQ

Québec Values Test study guide: common questions

What is the best way to use this Québec Values Test study guide?

Read one topic, then answer that topic's practice questions while the rules are fresh. Note the questions you miss, re-read those notes, and finish with a full practice test across all 11 topics.

Is this the official Québec Values Test handbook?

No. It is our own summary of the Democratic values and Québec values as expressed in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms — Practical Guide. Use it to review, and use the official handbook when you need the exact wording of a rule.

Can I print the study guide?

Yes, with your browser's print command. For practice questions on paper with an answer key, use our printable questions and answers page instead.