Montreal: An Ideal Canadian Outsourcing Destination

With a population of just 1.78 million, Montreal is a safe, youthful, and vibrant city that’s affordable and filled with entertainment and fine dining experiences. It’s easy to experience it all since it’s also pedestrian and bicycle-friendly with inexpensive and reliable public transportation.

Built into beautiful rolling hills, Montreal features many different neighborhoods, including the trendy Plateau Mont-Royal that features townhomes built into the slopes of Mont-Royal. Many areas, like Saint-Henri, are seeing a cultural revitalization. Residents also like stopping in the vintage clothing shops and bagel bakeries in Mile End.

For the North American market, this city has a bilingual culture. A favourable exchange rate makes it attractive for companies looking for nearshore customer service opportunities.

Outsourcing to Montreal, Canada

In recent years, forward-thinking companies have come to discover Montreal, Canada as a viable outsourcing option in North America. ContactPoint 360 is a trusted local partner in this market, offering call center operation sites in business districts throughout Montreal.

There are many reasons why Montreal is such an ideal business location. Beyond the economic benefits, this city boasts excellent cuisine and a multicultural experience with French commonly spoken.

Financial Outlook

The exchange rate of the Canadian dollar is advantageous for United States-based businesses. It’s now possible to remain in North America and retain the same level of service your customers expect from your organization while saving money.

The Canadian economy and political situation are stable and safe. Economists point to strong expansion in manufacturing and other industries as government officials work to encourage more growth with supportive policies counteracting the global realities of the coronavirus pandemic.

Technology Infrastructure

Montreal has extremely reliable internet technology, with some companies even offering 5G wireless networks with faster data speeds and response times. Canadians are some of the most online residents in the world. Businesses can benefit from some of the best technology infrastructures available today.

Companies located in Montreal are in the company of global leaders in tech, neuroscience, education, aerospace, AI, and sustainability industries. Montreal is a city that prioritizes energy efficiency, recycling initiatives, and other environmental efforts.

Language Skills

Montreal features a French-Canadian culture, and most of the residents are at least bilingual. A recent poll of residents found that 77% of participants considered Montreal a bilingual city, and 23% considered it to be a French-speaking city.

Clients who require the type of French spoken here, which differs from the French spoken elsewhere, will have native speakers to assist customers. This is noteworthy for other French-English requirements of North American companies, as all ContactPoint 360 customer engagement associates in Montreal are proficient in written and verbal skills for both languages in primary and secondary dialects.

Transportation

The Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), or Montreal-Trudeau for short, is one of the busiest in the country. It’s located just 13 miles from downtown Montreal and is accessible by bus or private car.

The public transportation system, called STM, is reliable and affordable in Montreal. The metro system is clean, fast, and safe. Most importantly, it’s also simple to understand. There are only four lines that link downtown with bus stops and train stations. The city is friendly to pedestrians and bicyclists alike.

Culture and Education

Education in Montreal is free from kindergarten through college, so the adult population is well-educated and cultured. There are more than 30 colleges and universities in the city, adding a youthful air and plenty of entertainment and artistic offerings.

Montreal is considered the cultural capital of Quebec, with a popular botanical garden and the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal located in the city. Residents enjoy art museums, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and the Biosphere. Fine cuisine can be had in restaurants throughout the city.

Medical Care

Universal healthcare in Canada means that all residents receive free or low-cost medical care. In Quebec, expats who live in the region even temporarily can qualify for subsidized care if they register with the Regie de l’Assurance Maladie du Quebec, or RAMQ, and get a medical insurance card. There is a three-month waiting period to be approved, however pregnant women, victims of violence, and patients with an infectious disease will receive care even during that waiting period.

Business Regulations

Registering a business in Quebec is simple. If you want to start an unincorporated business, there’s technically no registration required. If you want to register a company that does business as a name that’s anything other than your first and last name, you must register with the Registraire Des Entreprises, or the Enterprise Register. You may have to employ translation services, as online registration is available only in French. It costs just $36 for sole proprietorship and $53 for a partnership. United States citizens also benefit from a long-standing, positive relationship politically with Canada.

What to Look for in an Outsourcing Partner

If you are considering heading north into Montreal with your customer service, you should weigh the pros and cons of outsourcing partners for the nearshore opportunity. Consider these questions:

• What are the limitations and capabilities of the outsourcing vendor? Are they set up for both inbound and outbound call centers?
• Can they demonstrate adequate infrastructure? Does the outsourcing company connect with the best technology and equipment to handle all your needs?
• Do you have to be concerned with the workforce? Can they meet your needs? Are there enough accent-neutral call agents or agents with specific expertise or skills?
• Does the outsourcing company have firsthand knowledge of the local market and culture?

Learn more about ContactPoint 360. We can help your business expand to Montreal and many other lucrative markets throughout the world.