The defense of the French language goes through immigration. This was one of the arguments raised by Jean Boulet, Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, during his department’s credits analysis, Thursday.
The elected CAQ did not hide the intentions of its leader and his party, on the eve of the next provincial election, scheduled for this fall.
Convinced by this possibility, Jean Boulet is counted send notice to bargain in the federal government of Justin Trudeau. His goal? Examine the terms of the historic agreement, signed in 1991, between Quebec and Ottawa.
This agreement allows the Legault government to select its own immigrants in the economic category; representing the majority of permanent residents admitted annually to Quebec, which is also the only province to hold this power.
It is important to have more control over immigration. We need to start a dialogue in Ottawa. We must redefine the content of this agreementrepeated Jean Boulet, while regretting current administrative delays.
” This type of shared capability generates delays, generates a certain disadvantage. […] I am often irritated by this kind of duality of competence. “
However, unlike François Legault who recently claimed to want to recover all power in immigration, his minister refrained from using these terms.
Recover Powers
Despite reminders from PQ MP Pascal Bérubé, Jean Boulet spoke out instead of managing the program aimed at temporary foreign workers and the choice related to family reunification. Requests have been made since the Coalition avenir Québec took office.
We need to make sure we can recover the maximum amount of power that will allow us to meet our needs.he pointed out.
As an justification, Minister Boulet – who also accepted agreements between Quebec and Ottawa on temporary foreign workers – promoted the protection of the French language.
” If we want to protect Quebec’s demographic weight and the French reality, immigration is really a very important key. “
Francophone immigration to Francophone regions is definitely the way we should do ithe added, while making sure he wanted to favor the recruitment of foreign workers in French and Francotropic speaking countries.
These actions, in his view, allow better integration even we do not exclude people [ne parlant pas le français]. We will accompany themmaintained by the Minister, referring to the francization courses used, last year, by nearly 37,000 immigrants.
Ottawa closed the door
Ottawa’s quick response. Contacted by Radio-Canada, the office of federal minister Sean Fraser immediately ruled out such a possibility.
Present in Montreal last week, with François Legault, Justin Trudeau had already denied this request from Quebec.
According to the federal government, Quebec has exclusive power required for establish selection criteriaas proficiency in the French languageng most of the newcomers lived in the province.
Currently, according to the selection grid (New window) used in the context of the regular skilled worker program, knowledge of written and spoken French facilitates file review, but is not an obligation for immigrants in this type of economy.
According to the 2022 Quebec Immigration Plan, Quebec selects 74% of permanent immigrants living in its territorycommemoration of a spokesman for Minister Fraser.
Moreover, Ottawa said it is already doing its part by paying annual compensation to enable Quebec to provide settlement and integration services to the province, including French language learning.
” This unique agreement is very beneficial for Quebec. We will continue to be good partners and work with Quebec to meet the need for more French -speaking immigrants in Quebec and across Canada. “
Quebec received $ 650.27 million for 2020-2021 and $ 697 million for 2021-2022he says.
almost 50 000 workers waiting
Minister Boulet also took advantage of this parliamentary commission to once again criticize Ottawa’s slowness on immigration issues.
Obtaining permanent residence now takes, on average, 31 months for a skilled worker already selected by Quebec.
These deadlines are not reasonable at not acceptable. It doesn’t make sensesighed Jean Boulet, saying he wanted to simplify processes of immigrants.
Behind the scenes, in Ottawa, it is argued that Quebec continues to select immigrants, without a significant increase in its entry targets. This method, it is said, does not reduce inventories.
According to Jean Boulet, 48,100 skilled workers, most of them already working in Quebec, are awaiting their permanent residence. Almost a year ago, that number was 51,000.
Minister Boulet also launched a new lawsuit against his federal counterpart, in the case of French -speaking foreign students. As Radio-Canada explained last fall, denial rates for study permits targeting people of African origin have increased in recent years. Depending on the country, they can reach up to 80%.
I denounced him, Jean Boulet indicated. There are intolerable and unacceptable rates of decline. I’m pushing Ottawa. I met [Sean Fraser] and his explanations do not satisfy me.
A federal committee recently studied this topic. Recommendations should be made to the federal government in the coming weeks.
Source: Radio-Canada
