In 2012, the Missionaries of Notre-Dame S.J. decided, with their collaborators, to launch a new social and cultural mission inside their building on rue Dauphine. Their priority was to direct their actions towards immigrant and refugee populations.

They reflected on their process, which involved a dozen people from the community, university, and institutional sectors, from September to December 2013. This exercise really helped to target needs in the field.

In January 2014, all these efforts led to the creation of a new charity called Carrefour d’action interculturelle (CAI). Its mission is to carry out accompaniment activities for immigrants and refugees.

On November 10, 2015, the CAI became a corporation registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.

On July 18, 2016, it was recognized as a charitable organization by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Since the very beginning, the CAI’s actions and expertise have been recognised by various local, regional, provincial, and federal authorities.

At the end of 2018, the CAI moved to the Maison Mère-Mallet, to provide services that complemented the other organisations located at the same address. This move also marked a transition to financial autonomy as the organization is no longer funded by the Jesuit Missionaries.

The CAI is a young and dynamic organization whose commitment is central to the evolution of immigrant realities in Quebec City. In fact, its services and activities are developed and adapted according to the needs expressed by its members. In addition, it remains connected to the social science research sector and to current events related to the field of immigration.