According to Premier Francois Legault, Quebec’s economic immigration program conditions have been modified significantly.
The Ministers of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration, Christine Frechette and Jean-François Roberge claimed on May 25 that by 2026 nearly all new economic immigrants to Quebec will be fluent in French. Francophones are to be encouraged to migrate to Quebec economically through this initiative.
According to Legault, the use of French in Quebec has declined for some time. Unlike any other succeeding administration, the Lévesque government has taken more measures to protect our language since Passing Bill 101 in 2018. Nevertheless, to reverse the trend, we must take greater action. The goal is to have a majority of Francophone immigrants in the economy by 2026. Speaking French, sharing our culture, and being proud of our culture are responsibilities we have collectively as Quebecers.
Quebec introduces new program and language requirements for skilled workers
Having a good command of oral French is a requirement for adults. People who want to move to Quebec will need to be able to converse in French daily in their communities and at work. Qualified workers in Quebec will benefit from a new permanent immigration program. Taking into account the diverse needs of Quebec, the government said, the Skilled Worker Selection Program would be designed to “take into account the diversity of the workforce.”
To qualify for the program, candidates must demonstrate French language competency in three of the four areas yet to be specified by the province. And three of those categories will be open to both principal applicants and their concomitant spouses.
Moreover, existing programs will be changed. Québec Experience Program graduates in French-language academic programs will no longer be required to have work experience.
Furthermore, among the measures for family reunification is the guarantor’s accountability. To help the one they are hosting learn French through integration and reception.
Immigration is a shared responsibility between the federal government and the provinces. Contrary to other provinces, Quebec’s agreement permits economic immigrants to choose their place of residence. The province of Quebec does not have the authority to choose candidates for sponsorship under the family class nor to choose candidates who enter Canada as refugees or other humanitarians.
Quebec is experiencing an increase in immigration
As part of the province’s plans, 60,000 permanent admissions are expected to be made by 2027, up from 50,000. In response to the federal Immigration Levels Plan, Legault publicly rejected the goal of admitting 500,000 permanent residents to Canada annually by 2025. Stating there was “no question” that Quebec would accept new immigration.
By 2024, Quebec will stop offering annual immigration plans and will instead offer multi-year ones, according to the Immigration Levels Plan for 2023.
Reason of changes
French is the official language only in Quebec, the only province in Canada. Defending the Quebec language is essential for preserving the province’s distinct culture and position, the province argues.
In October, Legault won reelection as prime minister of Quebec after leading the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ). Moreover, it is one of the core tenets of the CAQ party to protect the French language in Quebec.
Recent elections had a strong theme of immigration as one of their main issues. According to Legault, any more immigrants would be difficult to assimilate and integrate into Quebec society. So the province would only accept 50,000 immigrants per year. It would be “a bit suicidal” to go beyond that.
Quebec, as well as the rest of Canada, is experiencing a labor shortage. Due to the aging population and low birth rate. Approximately 18,000 immigrants are needed annually to fill Quebec’s labor shortage, according to a study published in March by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
