Sept-Iles is located in the North Shore region of Quebec, on the northwestern bank of the St. Lawrence River, where the river meets the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In the local Innu language, the town is known as Uashat, meaning bay.
With a population of 28, 534 as of the 2016 Canadian Census, Sept-Iles is the largest town in the region. The majority of the town’s population speak French as their first language, though in the 2016 Census approximately 12% of the population reported English or another language as their first language.
Located near the 50th parallel the climate of Sept-Iles is characterized by relatively mild long winters, with short, mild summers; providing a great climate for those who love winter sports, such as alpine or cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling. While summers offer a chance to get out and explore the many walking, hiking or ATV trails. Other popular activities include fishing, camping, boating, hunting and mountain biking.
Sept-Iles is also home to the Innu of Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam. With Uashat on the western edge of Sept-Iles and Mani-Utenam 16 kilometres east of town, the Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani Utenam (ITUM) represents a population of the 3,728 Innu community members who live in or near Sept-Iles. ITUM provides a range of social, education, health and recreation services to the communities. Within Sept-Iles, at Musée Shaputan and the Vieux Poste de Sept-Iles you can learn more about the Indigenous people of the region, their traditional way of life and culture.
The website of the La Ville de Sept-Iles is a good source of information on the town and region, with a specific section on the resources and programs available to new residents and information regarding municipal services. The Tourisme Sept-Iles site is also a good source of information on the many attractions, activities and amenities available in the town and region.
Most schools in Sept-Iles are French, though English language primary and secondary school are also available. French language schools in Sept-Iles are governed by the Commission Scolaire du Fer, while the English language schools are part of the Eastern Shores School Board. There is also a private French secondary school based in Sept-Iles, the Insitut d'enseignement de Sept-Iles.
In Sept-Iles, the Commission Scolaire de Fer administers eight primary schools, two secondary schools and a professional training center. Enrolment is determined by address, with limited flexibility to choose amongst the schools.
The Eastern Shores School Board runs a primary, a secondary and a post-secondary school in Sept-Iles. Visit their website for more information regarding the eligibility requirements for enrolment.
Preschool and childcare
Preschool and childcare in Québec is administered by government through the Centres de la Petite Enfance (CPE) . Within Sept-Iles and Uashat, there are 7 CPE centres. Families requiring a place in a CPE must first with the Sept-Iles CPE association. There is also a private day care center, Centre Éducatif la Petite Grenouille. Additionally, many primary schools offer preschool and/or afterhours care. There is also a Facebook page to help families find childcare within Sept-Iles.
Post-Secondary Education
Thanks to size of the population and Sept-Iles’s role as service center for the North Shore region there are two post-secondary institutions that service the town and surrounding region, offering a wide variety of professional programs and university preparation programs.
For those not from Québec, CEGEP is an educational institution specific to the province which prepares students for university admissions, as well as offering a number of technical programs that prepare students for careers upon graduation, without further study.
All students wishing to attend university in Quebec must receive a Diploma of College Studies from a CEGEP, unless beginning university after the age of 21 in which case they are considered mature age students.
Visit the website of the Quebec department of Éducation et Enseignement Supérieur for more information on the CEGEP system.
There are a variety of housing options and neighbourhoods available in Sept-Iles. Individuals and/or families can choose to live in town or the neighbourhoods of the Beaches, parc Ferland, Clarke City, and Moisie, which are found to the east and west of town.
There is a strong rental market in the apartment sector, however the rental market for houses is less established and often works via Facebook groups and/or word of mouth. For those considering buying a home there are a number of real-estate agents in town.
Real Estate Agents
Facebook Groups
Sept-Iles is a service base for the broader region, as such many essential medial services are available in town. Family doctors are based at the GMF Vents et marées and the Polyclinique de l’Anse. While emergency, in-patient and out-patient services are based at the Hospital (CISS – Cote-Nord).
In addition to these services, a number of specialists, including dentists, orthodontists, optometrists, physiotherapists and chiropractors are based in Sept-Iles.
Note that new residents need to enroll for family doctors by calling: 1 844 962-4263
Canada’s universal health care system is administered by the provinces. Visit the website of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec for more information.
Sept-Iles is serviced by a domestic airport with several flights daily to Montreal, Quebec and other regional locations. In addition, in the winter months there is a weekly flight provided by Sunwing to one destination in Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America. The destination changes annually and provides a popular “sunbreak” options for locals.
There are also a number of ferry services that connect the North Shore with the Gaspé peninsula and other regional towns.
All year round, Sept-Iles offers a wide variety of options for those interested in sports, recreation, arts and/or culture. Below is a list of popular activities and groups. More information about these recreation services can be found at on the La Ville de Sept-Iles website. There are also a number of social, community or environmental groups that residents can become involved in.
| 3 indoor arenas | Outdoor rinks for hockey, ringuette, skating | A skate park |
| Club de Curling Sept-Iles | Several softball/baseball fields | Soccer fields |
| Station de Ski Gallix – ski alpine | Beach volleyball courts | Private gyms |
| Surfing – école Surfshack | Club de Ski de Fond Rapido de Sept-Îles | Public library |
| Running and cycling clubs | Centre de plein air de Lac des Rapide | Gymnasium |
| The Sept-Iles Museum | An 18-hole and 9-hole golf course | Yoga studio |
| Karate/judo schools | The Salle de Spectacle Jean-Marc Dion | Theatre/improv groups |
| Indoor swimming pool | Traditional, hip-hop and other dance groups | The Shaputuan Museum |
| Ski-doo/ATV trails and clubs | Band, choir and music schools | The Vieux Poste |
As Sept-Iles is a larger town, IOC is a smaller, though still significant, player in the town’s employment market. Because there are several other mining operations in the region, the mining and mining support services sectors are significant in the labour market.
Given the size of the town, there are also a number of job opportunities in other sectors including, but not limited to, medical services, education, hospitality and retail services.
Quebec is a French speaking province. Within Sept-Iles knowledge of French is essential in the labour market and English language skills can be an asset.
For those coming to Sept-Iles from international locations, a work permit and a certificat de selection from the Québec government are generally required for employment.
For more information on job opportunities outside of IOC you can visit: