Hon. Jean-Guy Dagenais: Canada isn’t meeting its targets in the fight against climate change. Canada isn’t meeting its target for the number of francophone immigrants entering the country. We’re all aware of the public service’s lack of efficiency in processing immigration files and, while we’re at it, the files of migrants arriving at Roxham Road.

As the Minister of Immigration is increasing Quebec’s proportional share of immigrants from 50,000 to 113,000, can you tell us how your government can dispute and deny the concerns of Quebec’s premier regarding the threat this represents to the French language?

I hope you won’t tell me that there’s money allocated for that.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Immigration to Canada, whether to Quebec or elsewhere, is essential to the well-being of our society and our future. As you know, Quebec has a wide range of powers unique in Canada when it comes to how immigrants are selected. Quebec also has full jurisdiction over the implementation of francization and integration programs for newcomers. Furthermore, the Government of Canada is a steadfast partner of the Government of Quebec in supporting its efforts to better receive and integrate francophone immigrants.

In my view, as a Quebecer born in Montreal and now a resident of the Eastern Townships, I am convinced that the vast majority of Quebecers who have daily contact with newcomers would agree that immigration to Quebec, like elsewhere, is a good thing, not only for Quebec and our society, but for the future of the French language, which is very important to us.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): No, the immigration minister doesn’t lack compassion. He set that target for the well-being of Canadian society and the future of our economy.

As for the matter of housing challenges for Canadians or those moving to Canada, the government has taken a lot of measures to do its part to try to increase the construction of new housing units in partnership with the private sector, the provinces and the municipalities. That includes, among other things, a $4-billion investment in a fund for new housing, the Housing Accelerator Fund, in Budget 2022 to help municipalities speed up construction and build 100,000 new housing units.

Budget 2022 also provides for an investment of $1.5 billion to continue the Rapid Housing Initiative to create thousands of affordable housing units. There is also a $2.9-billion advance as part of the National Housing Co-Investment Fund to build and repair 22,000 housing units. Lastly, the budget also includes a $1.5-billion investment to promote and expand cooperative housing.