Quebec’s immigration minister says that the Canadian model of multiculturalism doesn’t work for Quebec.
Minister Jean-Francoise Roberge said at a press conference on Tuesday that newcomers in Quebec need to embrace a “common culture” in order to avoid ghettoization.
Canada has culture
Roberge criticized the Canadian Federal government, saying that “Canada has never defined its own culture”, further stating that multiculturalism does not work in Quebec.
The Minister’s comments came just days before Premier Francois Legault plans to table a bill that, if passed, will require newcomers to adhere to Quebec values such as gender equality and secularism.
The bill will be tabled on Thursday, likely with support from the governing CAQ party and Parti Quebecois, who both want Quebec to have complete control over its immigration, perhaps even willing to bring another independence referendum in order to do so.
Roberge wants integration
Roberge also said he wants immigrants to attend Quebec shows, films and celebrations, to mix with people outside their own communities. In other words, he wants newcomers to assimilate.
The same Quebec government has previously taken measures to enhance its cultural hold based on the values of secularism. Bill 21 made national headlines in 2019, which prohibited religious symbols from being worn by public employees.
Teachers, Lawyers, police officers and other government employees in Quebec are not allowed to wear religious symbols while performing their duty.
Since January 1st, 2020, Quebec has required newcomers demonstrate their understanding of Canadian values through a test.
Quebec and Islam
According to a 2023 Angus Reid poll, 56% of Quebecers have a negative view on Islam, which is about 20% higher than the national average.
Measures against mass immigration in Quebec have become more popular in recent years, exacerbated by the Trudeau government’s open border policies.
