Generic top-level domainsIDNDNSSEC
Overview
.quebec is a GeoTLD and Community Priority Application created to represent Quebec and the Québécois online. Proposed and managed by the non-profit organization PointQuébec, the TLD is intended to promote Quebec businesses, culture, tourism and regional identity.
Key facts:
- Type: GeoTLD / Community TLD
- Manager / Sponsor: PointQuébec
- Registry (listed in sources): CORE
- Official website for registrations and information: https://registre.quebec
- DNSSEC: No
History
- Registry agreement with ICANN signed: 19 December 2013.
- Delegated to the DNS Root Zone: 16 April 2014 (ICANN delegated string).
- Official public launch: 18 November 2014.
The application was submitted under ICANN's New gTLD Program as a community GeoTLD. It received broad local support, including endorsement from the National Assembly of Quebec and financial backing from the Government of Quebec (including a noted $185,000 loan). PointQuébec is organized as a not-for-profit entity to operate the string.
Usage and Audience
.quebec is aimed at:
- Businesses, cultural organizations, tourism operators, and public institutions seeking a Quebec-centric web identity.
- Individuals and groups identifying as Québécois who want region-specific domain names.
The TLD positions itself as a local alternative to Canada’s country-code .ca, offering a geographically and culturally focused namespace.
Registration Rules
- PointQuébec implemented a post-verification registration system: legitimate registrations are verified via statements of intent submitted by registrants.
- The application was filed as a community priority application, reflecting a focus on the Quebec community and intended use to promote the province's identity.
(Note: sources describe the verification approach but do not list specific character rules, exact pricing, or minimum/maximum registration periods.)
Notable Cases or Examples
- .quebec is part of the newer category of GeoTLDs alongside strings such as .africa, .cat, and .paris.
- The initiative received unanimous political support in Quebec's National Assembly and measurable financial support from the provincial government, illustrating its regional significance.
Operator
Whois
% IANA WHOIS server % for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org % This query returned 1 object domain: QUEBEC organisation: PointQuébec Inc address: 202-1100, boul. Crémazie Est address: Montréal QC H2P 2X2 address: Canada contact: administrative name: Normand Fortier organisation: Normand address: 202-1100, boul. Crémazie Est address: Montréal QC H2P 2X2 address: Canada phone: +1.514-700-0018 fax-no: +1.877-917-9904 e-mail: normand@registre.quebec contact: technical name: TLD Technical Contact organisation: CORE Association address: 2, Cours de Rive address: Geneva CH-1204 address: Switzerland phone: +41 223 125 610 fax-no: +41 223 125 612 e-mail: dnsmaster@corenic.org nserver: ANYCAST10.IRONDNS.NET 195.253.64.12 2a01:5b0:4:0:0:0:0:c nserver: ANYCAST23.IRONDNS.NET 195.253.65.11 2a01:5b0:5:0:0:0:0:b nserver: ANYCAST24.IRONDNS.NET 195.253.65.12 2a01:5b0:5:0:0:0:0:c nserver: ANYCAST9.IRONDNS.NET 195.253.64.11 2a01:5b0:4:0:0:0:0:b ds-rdata: 46012 10 2 5916001fff3dc261a7f1b5d81bdc63312697f8b672ae1c8ac7677f6e68977f48 whois: whois.nic.quebec status: ACTIVE remarks: Registration information: http://www.registre.quebec created: 2014-03-13 changed: 2023-09-13 source: IANA