General Guidelines
Trainees doing their rotation in Cree and Nunavik territories are flown to the remote communities.
Students
- 1 round trip is funded for students.
- The site books and pays for flights directly.
Residents
- 2 round trips are funded for residents. However, flights to Northern Quebec are costly, and a 2nd round trip is not guaranteed.
- The site books and pays for flights directly.
- Be mindful of booking vacation time when rotating in Northern Quebec, as the additional travel days can impact the validity of the rotation. Flights are often delayed or cancelled, which can also affect the validity of the rotation.
Flight Details per Site
Chisasibi
Your flight will be booked by Christina Spencer with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay. If you need to contact her, she can be reached at Christina.spencer [at] ssss.gouv.qc.ca. Your flight reservation will be sent to you near the rotation starting date.
There are 2 flight options:
- Regular Air Creebec Flights: The flight stops in Val D’or (or Chibougamou), Waskaganish and sometimes other Cree villages depending on the flight. When the plane refuels, the passengers may be asked to leave the plane and wait in the airport. It is important to keep track of your flight as there can be more than one plane and they do not always clearly announce when you are re-boarding. Students have been inadvertently left in other villages. The weight limit for luggage on Air Creebec flights is 20Kg. The extra baggage rate is currently 4.37$/pound.
- Charter Flights: This flight departs from Ryan Avenue Air Creebec terminal (9475 avenue Ryan, Dorval). This is usually a direct flight Montreal to Chisasibi. The weight limit for luggage is the same as a regular flight.
It is recommended that you arrive at least 90 minutes in advance to get your boarding pass at the counter. Please check luggage restrictions. Extra fees may be charged for exceeding this limit. Once at the destination, make sure that your luggage is unloaded. Be advised, that due to uncontrollable circumstances, flight delays may occur.
At the airport, after picking up your luggage, the hospital driver should be there waiting for you. Make your presence known by either asking the Air Creebec counter to point out the driver or by going outside and looking for the van with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay logo. Even though the van driver has your name, we recommend having a proactive approach. If you have missed the hospital shuttle or you are stranded at the airport, below are the numbers to call:
| Contact |
|---|
| Cree Patient Services 819-855-9001, ext. 4269 |
| Driver 819-855-7821 |
| Emergency Doctor 819-855-7622 |
Upon arrival at the hospital, ask to be directed to the doctor's office and introduce yourself. One of the doctors present will orient you.
Mistissini
Your flight will be booked by Christina Spencer with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay. If you need to contact her, she can be reached at Christina.spencer [at] ssss.gouv.qc.ca. Your flight reservation will be sent to you near the rotation starting date.
You will fly from Montreal to Chibougamau airport on the Monday your rotation starts. Most trainees fly with Air Creebec. Only if there are no seats available will you be flying with Air Inuit. Please pay special attention to your departure details upon receipt of your travel itinerary, as trainees do not always fly out of Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport. To see baggage information, please visit the Air Creebec website. Your flight back will be on the last Friday of your rotation (may be modified pending vacation approvals).
It is recommended that you arrive at least 90 minutes in advance to get your boarding pass at the counter. Please check luggage restrictions. Extra fees may be charged for exceeding this limit. Be advised, that due to uncontrollable circumstances, flight delays may occur.
A taxi will be at the airport to bring you From Chibougamau to Mistissini at your arrival. It is a 1-hour drive from Chibougamau to Mistissini. In case you have to call for a taxi, below are the contact details:
| Contact |
|---|
| Diamond – Taxi Service 418-748-7725 |
Waskaganish
Your flight will be booked by Christina Spencer with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay. If you need to contact her, she can be reached at Christina.spencer [at] ssss.gouv.qc.ca. Your flight reservation will be sent to you near the rotation starting date.
Air Creebec Flight
The flight stops in Val D’or or Chibougamou, Waskaganish and sometimes other Cree villages depending on your flight. When the plane refuels, the passengers may be asked to leave the plane and wait in the airport. It is important to keep track of your flight as there can be more than one plane and they do not always clearly announce when you are re-boarding. Students have been inadvertently left in other villages. The weight limit for luggage on Air Creebec flights is 20Kg. The extra baggage rate is currently 4.37$/pound.
It is recommended that you arrive at least 90 minutes in advance to get your boarding pass at the counter. Please check luggage restrictions. Extra fees may be charged for exceeding this limit. Once at the destination, make sure that your luggage is unloaded. Be advised, that due to uncontrollable circumstances, flight delays may occur.
At the airport, after picking up your luggage, the hospital driver should be there waiting for you. Make your presence known either by asking at the Air Creebec counter to point out the driver or by going outside and looking for the van with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay logo. If you have missed the hospital shuttle or you are stranded at the airport, below are the numbers to call:
| CONTACT |
|---|
| Waskaganish Clinic Driver 819-895-4174 |
| Clinic 819-895-8833 (ask to speak to one of the doctors) |
| Emergency Nurse on call 819-895-4156 |
The driver will have they keys to your apartment and will drop you off there. Remind them to point out the clinic so that you can walk there by 1:00pm to start the afternoon orientation with the MD on call. You may also want to walk to the grocery store for food if there is time.
Waswanipi
Your flight will be booked by Christina Spencer with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay. If you need to contact her, she can be reached at Christina.spencer [at] ssss.gouv.qc.ca. Your flight reservation will be sent to you near the rotation starting date.
You will fly from Montreal to Chibougamau airport on the Monday your rotation starts. Most trainees fly with Air Creebec. Only if there are no seats available will you be flying with Air Inuit. Please pay special attention to your departure details upon receipt of your travel itinerary, as trainees do not always fly out of Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport. To see baggage information, please visit the Air Creebec website. Your flight back will be on the last Friday of your rotation (may be modified pending vacation approvals).
It is recommended that you arrive at least 90 minutes in advance to get your boarding pass at the counter. Please check luggage restrictions. Extra fees may be charged for exceeding this limit.
As you will be flying to Chibougamau, a taxi will be at the airport to bring you to Waswanipi once you arrive. It is a 1-hour drive from Chibougamau to Waswanipi. In case you have to call for a taxi, below are the contact details:
| Contact |
|---|
| Diamond – Taxi Service 418-748-7725 |
Kuujjuaq
Please communicate with the Kuujjuaq uthc.DSP.Secretariat [at] ssss.gouv.qc.ca (site coordinator) for questions regarding flights.
Puvirnituq
Please communicate with the Puvirnituq enseignement.csi [at] gmail.com (team) for questions regarding flights.
