44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 10, 2023 02:00PM
- May/10/23 2:32:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Quebec government has taken a firm position against the federal government's plans to bring 500,000 immigrants into the country every year.
There are challenges related to the cost for the health care system, the cost for the education system, the cost for child care services, and the housing crisis. Obviously, language and culture are fundamental concerns.
I would like to hear directly from the Prime Minister what he has to say to the Premier of Quebec about imposing his new immigration targets.
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- May/10/23 2:32:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, every year, the federal government puts forward a three-year immigration plan. This plan takes account of economic challenges, the labour shortage and forecasts for positive growth nationally.
Of course, Quebec has tremendous control over its own immigration thresholds. When it comes to Canada, however, the federal government decides.
Not only are we putting forward a responsible plan for economic growth, we are doing more than any other federal government to protect the French language and promote francophone immigration.
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- May/10/23 2:34:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we presented our immigration numbers in November. It took Pierre Karl Péladeau and Québecor putting it on the front page for the Bloc to wake up.
The reality is that we are going to continue to table an ambitious plan to meet our country's economic needs, for the growth that we are going to create in communities across this country. We still respect Quebec and we will still protect the French language. When I go to Abitibi, Beauce or any other region in Quebec, business owners are telling me that they need workers. That is exactly what we are delivering.
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- May/10/23 2:46:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to the experts, I spend a lot of time talking to entrepreneurs in Beauce, Abitibi and in the Quebec City area who are struggling to find labour to grow their business.
Farmers are concerned about the labour shortage. We are here to help, to work hand in hand with Quebec, which sets its own immigration targets.
We will be there to ensure that economic growth, the protection of French and francophone immigration continue to be on the agenda for our entrepreneurs across Quebec—
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- May/10/23 2:47:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Department of Immigration consulted 3,000 different organizations and groups across Canada when setting our targets.
We understand there is a great need for economic growth and for workers across the country, including in Quebec. I have had conversations with business owners in Gatineau, in Montreal and on the North Shore who need workers. That is what I am hearing.
We will be there to ensure that there is francophone immigration. We will work hand in hand with the Government of Quebec and we will enable the economic growth that everyone needs.
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- May/10/23 2:47:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Department of Immigration consulted 3,000 different organizations and groups across Canada when setting our targets.
We understand there is a great need for economic growth and for workers across the country, including in Quebec. I have had conversations with business owners in Gatineau, in Montreal and on the North Shore who need workers. That is what I am hearing.
We will be there to ensure that there is francophone immigration. We will work hand in hand with the Government of Quebec and we will enable the economic growth that everyone needs.
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- May/10/23 3:05:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, entrepreneurs across Quebec and the country need workers. Our communities want to welcome new families who can come and fill the needs for the economic growth that is on the horizon.
We are here to welcome not just newcomers, but new Canadians and new Quebeckers who will continue to help build our country for generations to come.
Yes, we are going to continue to be there to defend French and to deliver on francophone immigration, but we are also going to be there to create opportunities for all, in both official languages, to achieve solid economic growth.
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Mr. Speaker, I am extremely pleased to respond to my colleague.
I must say that I am a bit surprised. I expected a question about immigration, considering that tomorrow is an opposition day and we are going to discuss demographic weight. Bill C‑13 settles this issue, and that is very impressive.
I would like to say something very important to my colleague. If the Official Languages Act had not been passed in 1969, very few people in Nova Scotia or outside Quebec would be speaking French now. That fact is indisputable.
Not only that, but we had no French schools before 1969. Today, Nova Scotia has 23 French schools, and the student population has doubled in size since the Conseil scolaire acadien de la Nouvelle‑Écosse school board was founded in 1996. That is impressive.
The Official Languages Act is doing its job.
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