On May 25, the Immigration, Francisation, & Integration Minister Christine Frechetter, along with French Language Minister Jean Roberge & Legault, asserted that there would be changes in the economic immigration programs. These changes will ensure that almost every new economic immigrant in the province knows how to speak French even before arriving there.
This implies that Quebec will promote Francophone economic immigration.
Legault further stated that French had declined in the province for several years. The government has acted to protect the language by adopting Bill 101 under the Levesque government. But if the government genuinely wants to bring back the language, it must go further. Thus, by 2026, the province aims to have Francophone economic immigration.
The minister said that as citizens, everyone has to speak French to transmit the culture regularly & be proud of it. Thus, knowing oral French is integral in the province for adults. As well, it ensures that people wishing to settle in Quebec can communicate in French throughout the day.
In addition, the changes are a part of economic immigration programs for skilled workers in Quebec. The programs will evaluate the candidates in 4 categories. However, these categories haven’t been made clear. But the province asserts that three types will definitely need the principal applicant & their spouses to know French thoroughly.
Moreover, there will be revisions to the existing economic immigration programs. For instance, the work experience requirement is no longer mandatory for students who have completed their studies in French in the Quebec Experience Program.
In addition, family reunification measures make it mandatory for the guarantor to submit the plan for integration & reception, thus supporting the learning of French for the person they are hosting. It is vital to note that immigration is a shared responsibility between provincial & federal governments. Quebec’s agreement is a bit unique from other provinces, i.e., it can select all its economic immigrants.
However, Quebec cannot select the following:
- Family class sponsorship candidates
- People arriving in Canada as refugees
- Other humanitarian classes
This year, Quebec’s target is to admit over 65% of the newcomers to the province.
Increasing Number Of Immigrants In Quebec
Apart from economic immigration programs, the province is considering raising permanent selection admission numbers from 50,000 – 60,000 by 2027.
Well, this starkly contrasts Legault’s recent comments where there was ‘NO QUESTION’ of the province accepting any rise in the number of newcomers and publicly rejecting the federal immigration level program, which targeted 500,000 permanent residents to admit to Canada every year by 2025.
These changes followed Quebec’s immigration level plans, where it was declared that the region would move away from the plans that primarily forecasted the coming year solely.
Why Are The Changes Made?
Quebec is one of the unique Canadian provinces, wherein French is the authorized language. The region is fiercely protective of its language, thus aiming to protect Quebec’s unique culture & status.
Legault leads the CAQ, i.e., Coalition Avenir Québec and is presently in his second term as Quebec’s premier. One of the main aims of CAQ is to protect the French language and make it compulsory in all economic immigration programs.
Immigration was one of the critical issues in the recent election. Legault, throughout his campaign, asserted that Quebec would allow just 50,000 immigrants per year into the province. This is done because it will be challenging to accommodate & integrate more than 50,000 immigrants into society.
Like other Canadian provinces, Quebec is also experiencing a labor shortage as the population ages and the birth rate is relatively low. Moreover, the Canadian Federation Of Independent Business report shows that Quebec can face an annual shortfall of almost 18,000 immigrants who can fill Quebec’s labor needs.