The New Policy Of Quebec Demands Immigrants To Pass The Values Test

Quebec is the part of central Canada and is the second-most populous province. Due to the presence of a large number of industries, Quebec delivers a significant economic output. The province of Quebec enjoys a separate status for its autonomous power over the immigration system. It has its own set of rules for selecting newcomers who wish to settle in the province. Quebec prefers immigrants who can truly integrate into the province’s culture and society. Therefore, based on the values given by the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, Quebec has recently released new details regarding the values test.

What is a Quebec values test?

Highly symbolic in nature, values test is designed by the government of Quebec to test the “democratic and the Quebec values” of the newcomers, so as to ensure that they are worthy of obtaining a permanent residence in the province. As per the Government of Quebec, it is imperative to have knowledge of the values of the society in order to have good cultural integration. The values test is a promise made by the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) party during the election campaign. It is a ruling party in the province now and the guidelines of the values test are released by the CAQ government.

Values Test Process Simplified:

As part of a new policy that came into effect on January 1, 2020, potential immigrants are required to qualify the ‘values test’ in order to be selected by the province of Quebec for permanent residence.

The values test will be applied to the following major immigration programs of Quebec:

Skilled Worker Program

Entrepreneur Program

Experience Program

Self-Employed Program
Investor Program

After submitting their application for a selection certificate, candidates have 60 days to take the values test and send their attestation which acts as proof of their success in the values test. Candidates who prefer to settle in Quebec must pass the values test. The test has a total of 20 MCQs and it will last 90 minutes. Candidates are required to get above 75 percent or answer 15 questions correctly. The applicants will have remote access to the values test. This means that the test can be taken online by them. Or else, if a candidate is already in Quebec, he/she can appear in the information session and take the test. All the candidates will get three fair chances to pass the values test.

Five Key Principles Enshrined by Quebec:

1. Quebec is a Secular Society

Quebecers follow the religion of Secularism. The government of Quebec has separated religion from politics. Last year, in June, the province passed a secularism bill that prohibits the use of religious symbols. According to this bill, police officers, teachers, judges and many other professionals belonging to the public sector are banned from wearing religious symbols like hijabs, turbans, during the time of their duties. However, this law has exempted those people from its ambit who were already in the service before March 27, 2019. Eradicating religious symbols in the service sector was a promise made by the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) government during the election campaign. There is a proud conception that Quebec is the only jurisdiction in North-America that holds secularism as an integral part in its laws.

2. Quebec is a democratic society

Democracies conduct regular fair elections. The citizens of a democratic society exercise power to elect the government. The members of the legislative assembly are elected by the people of Quebec through free and fair elections. Every Canadian citizen who has attained the age of 18 years or older, domiciled in Quebec for six months, and meets the criteria of the Election Act has the right to vote freely and confidentially. Quebec is a form of society that favors equal rights, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech among others.

3. Quebec is a Francophone Society

The province of Quebec has French as a predominant language. French is the official language; it is used by the government and the public sector employees. It is also regularly used in trade and business, communication, and teaching. Though it is not mandatory to speak in French, Immigrants are resolutely encouraged to learn French so that they do not face the problem of language barrier and can easily blend with the french-speaking community.

4. Equality between women and men

There is no gender discrimination in Quebec. Gender equality and female empowerment is practiced throughout the province. Women and Men have the same rights and the same obligations in the province of Quebec. Women can practice any profession of their choice and there is no unfairness in terms of salary as well. Female and male workers both get the same salary for the equivalent value of work. In regards to marriage, women and men have equal rights. They can marry the person of their choice without any prohibition.

5. Rights and responsibilities of Quebecers.

Every person living in Quebec follows the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Be it organisations, different groups, businesses or government, every one works within the framework of rights and responsibilities established by the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Fundamental rights and freedoms are exercised religiously in the society of Quebec. The right to live, personal freedom, personal security, inviolability and right to privacy are among the rights provided to a person living in the province of Quebec. However, these fundamental rights must not conflict with democratic values, secularism, and the public’s welfare. The use of violence is highly condemned and prohibited. The government of Quebec wants to ensure that a potential candidate has knowledge and respect for the integral values of the society. These values reflect a commitment of the Quebecers to a secular and democratic society.