Quebec Immigration Minister wants to create ‘social contract’ for newcomers

Quebec’s minister responsible for immigration and the French language announced on Monday he is planning to table an “integration” bill, saying newcomers need to embrace the “common culture.”

Roberge said this proposed law would build off the language reform Bill 96 and secularism law Bill 21, the latter of which will soon be evaluated by the Supreme Court. Roberge said these laws “give Quebec its pride back.”

“For the first time in our history we will define who we are and how we want to keep evolving as a nation,” Jean-François Roberge said in a video posted on X.

“We will propose a social contract that will unite all Quebecers.”

He said the bill would require immigrants adhere to values like democracy, gender equality and secularism — which Quebec previously tried to outline in its proposed Charter of Values — and center the French language.

“These values, in a way, make up the basis of our society and will have to be respected in all spheres of our nation. A nation that proudly asserts itself through our common official language: French,” Roberge said in the video.

On Tuesday, the minister told reporters at the National Assembly that the bill aims to prevent “ghettoization” of immigrant communities.

Roberge said that while Canada has embraced multiculturalism, Quebec “never” did. Instead, he said, the province prefers interculturalism, focused on integrating immigrants into Quebec culture.

Newcomers have a “moral duty” to adhere to Quebec culture, Roberge said, adding that there will mechanisms to ensure its principles are upheld, though didn’t give any precise details.

“With the increase in immigration we’ve had recently, it’s imperative that Quebec finally get its own integration model,” he said.

“This model will allow us to build a society where the francophone majority invites all Quebecers to follow and contribute to our nation’s common culture.”

He went on to say French has withstood historical hitches and is now spoken with “every accent in the world.”

“That’s why this law on integration invites all Quebecers to gather around the language of Vigneault and Tremblay because it is also the language of Dany Laferrière, Boucar Diouf, Jim Corcoran, Michel Jean and Kim Thuy.”

‘Identity and nationalism card’

Opposition leaders criticized the Coalition Avenir Québec for cutting funding for several French classes for newcomers across the province last fall. It was reported Monday that it also paused funding for measures designed to help integrate immigrant students.

Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal accused the CAQ of “playing the identity and nationalism card” to save itself as it has been falling behind in polls.

Further legislation is expected to be tabled targeting secularism in schools. Last year, an investigation was launched into 17 public schools following claims that Muslim religious practices are emerging in classrooms. This came after a government report revealed a toxic climate at a Montreal primary school, leading to the suspension of 11 teachers, many of North African descent.

On Tuesday, Premier François Legault asked Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette to develop a Quebec constitution, an idea floated by a committee last year.

The government has also long been talking about reducing its immigration targets and limiting the number of international students.

With files from The Canadian Press