Montréal is a cosmopolitan city recognized for its cultural and linguistic diversity. More than 50% of the city's population—and nearly 80% of business people—are fluently bilingual, in French and English. Moreover, a growing part of the Montréal work force also speaks a third language. Within the territory of Montréal, more than 100 languages are spoken, including Italian, Arabic, Greek, Chinese, Portuguese and German.

In Montréal there are no fewer than 70 ethnocultural communities living in harmony. Some of them, like the Italians, Greeks and Chinese, settled in Montréal many decades ago. To further enhance this diversity, the City of Montréal set up the Bureau des Affaires interculturelles, an intercultural relations and affairs office whose mandate is to promote discussions between ethnocultural groups.

Furthermore, some 17,000 foreign students living in Montréal make a significant contribution to the city's cultural diversity. International crossroads for trade activities, conventions and conferences, Montréal has more than sixty international organizations within it boundaries. After Washington, it is the North American city that hosts the most international conferences.