Winter’s Deep Freeze Welcomes Newcomers to Québec
So, let’s talk about this early December cold snap that has settled over Québec and how it’s being experienced—especially by newcomers who are going through their first true northern winter. According to Environment Canada, the Côte-Nord region has already been hit with biting cold and heavy snowfall, making this one of the chilliest season starts since 2021. And while longtime residents might shrug it off, those who are just discovering Canadian winters for the first time are definitely feeling the shock… but many of them are embracing it with surprising enthusiasm.
Take Nizar Tanazesti, for instance. He moved from Tunisia to Baie-Comeau last July, so the moment the temperature plunged to –10°C, the reality of winter became very real for him. He decided to go for a walk that day since he had time off, and he ended up laughing about how completely frozen his hands became. That moment, as uncomfortable as it was, didn’t discourage him at all. In fact, Nizar had been preparing for winter long before he even set foot in Quebec—asking people for advice, reading guides online, and gathering every bit of information he could to make sure he was ready.
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What he really wanted was the full Canadian winter experience. Even though he admits he isn’t someone who naturally enjoys the cold, he was determined not to miss out on a season that defines so much of life in this part of the world. And he’s not alone. Local organizations, like Manicouagan Interculturelle, have been helping immigrants learn how to face winter safely and confidently. They’ve offered workshops on layering clothing properly, adjusting driving habits, and staying alert around snow-clearing equipment. They coordinated with the Sûreté du Québec and the regional health authority to make sure newcomers get all the practical tools they need—not just to survive winter, but to actually enjoy it.
Guillaume Caron, who works with the organization, says the goal is simple: winter shouldn’t be something people hide from. It’s something to experience. Something to enjoy. And newcomers should feel empowered to step outside, even when the cold feels sharp enough to cut through bone.
Nizar has taken that message to heart. He’s already picked up a pair of ice skates, he’s hunting for skis, and now he’s just waiting for someone to teach him how to use them. He’s fully committed to participating in winter activities instead of staying indoors counting the months until spring. As he puts it, he refuses to spend winter “just sitting at home.”
Meanwhile, across Québec, the cold continues to tighten its grip. Wind chills near –22°C have been recorded in the south, and even with clear skies and sunshine, the frigid air has settled deeply into the province. Environment and Climate Change Canada expects the cold to linger until at least Tuesday before easing slightly by midweek.
Winter, it seems, has arrived in full force—and for many newcomers, it’s turning out to be an unforgettable introduction.
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