Most government offices and many businesses require that all women use their maiden names. The Québec civil code, passed in 1981, states that, “In marriage, both spouses retain their respective names, and exercise their respective civil rights under those names.” Therefore, only women wed before 1981 can use their married name, so be prepared when you go to a bank, hospital, etc. to use your maiden name on all official cards and papers.

Information on all federal government services, and many provincial government services, is available in English upon request.

All government phone numbers and web site addresses can be found in the yellow pages of the phone book, which includes maps, business listed by headings, governments (the pages with the blue edges list federal, provincial, and municipal numbers) and an alphabetical list of businesses. (Note the names of independent business owners are not always listed in the business section, so also check the white pages when looking for a number).

For information on federal government services, including names of the Members of Parliament, call 1-800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232), or visit their web site at www.canada.gc.ca.

For information on provincial government services, including the names of members of the National Assembly, call Services Québec at 1-800-363-1363 or visit the Québec Portal online at www.gouv.qc.ca.

If you are unsatisfied with the service from a provincial government department, call the Québec ombudsman, the Protecteur du citoyen, at 643-2688 or visit their web site at www.protecteurducitoyen.qc.ca.

If you need a lawyer and are on social assistance or have a low income, you may be entitled to the services of a legal aid lawyer. To find the address of your nearest legal aid office, look in the yellow pages of the phone book under “Aide juridique” or online at www.csj.qc.ca.

The Québec City official information site is www.ville.quebec.qc.ca and general information is available at 641-6010. The line for inquiries and complaints is 641-6000. Tourists, business owners, and city residents can find useful information here.

There are a few foreign government offices in Québec City, including the United States, Sweden, and Italy. For more information, look in the yellow pages under “Consulats”.