Lower Canada, as Quebec was called, faced the then controversial question of whether only Christians would enjoy full political rights or could they be extended to others. 

In 1832 Quebec (Lower Canada) voted to enfranchise Jews. Quebec was the first jurisdiction in the British Empire to do this, over a quarter century ahead of England.

Canada recognized Israel de facto in December 1948 and gave full de jure recognition on 11 May 1949 when the Jewish state became a United Nations member state. 

One week later Avraham Harman was appointed Israel's first Consul General to Canada, based in Montreal. Some years later Israel opened an Embassy in Ottawa and appointed an Ambassador. 

Israel has had a diplomatic representation in Quebec ever since. 

The incumbent Quebec government made its first Ministerial level visit to Israel when Economy Minister Fitzgibbon visited in March 2022. On this visit he signed an agreement for mutual Quebec and Israeli investment in joint research in the life sciences. 

This was the first Ministerial level Quebec visit overseas anywhere since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, illustrating the importance Quebec places in the relationship with Israel. 

Quebec and Israel have additional bilateral agreement and we are working on more. 

Quebec grants a number of international student fee waivers, allowing Israelis to study in Quebec at local residents’ rates. 

Zim Shipping, a flagship Israeli company, has its Canadian headquarters in Montreal. Additional Israeli companies too. There are significant research and commercial relations between Israeli and Quebec technology companies. 

Almost all Quebec’s universities have active collaborations with one or more Israeli university, from joint research to visiting professors through student delegations and more. 

There are similarities between the Israeli and Quebecer populations on which are foundered and nurtured common interests. 

We are both bilingual societies, both with a passion for our identities. Both of us live within the wider region, in growing partnership, having experienced differences with our neighbours. 

These are not “copy-paste” but the experience of each of us resonates with the other, a platform for understanding and further partnerships. 

The Consulate General of Israel is here to build more bridges and to ensure increased traffic across those bridges as we grow mutually beneficial business, academic, cultural and other relationships.​