Quebec immigration minister wants to relegate multiculturalism to the ‘dustbin of history’

Quebec immigration minister Jean-Francois Roberge wants to relegate multiculturalism to the ‘dustbin of history.’

Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge wasted no time in boasting after the adoption of his new law that will give Quebec its own model for national integration.

He says the legislation will relegate Canadian multiculturalism to the “dustbin of history.”

“Multiculturalism no longer applies on Quebec soil, finally! (…) It’s a model that has always been harmful to Quebec,” Roberge declared Wednesday at the National Assembly.

According to him, under that model, the state takes it upon itself to allow newcomers to retain their culture and language of origin.

“That’s Canadian multiculturalism. We live alongside one another,” he explained.

His new law — inspired by interculturalism — aims to signal to immigrants that they are “arriving in a state with its own model of integration” and that they must accept Quebec’s social contract, which is based on values such as democracy, the French language, gender equality, and secularism."

“Otherwise, well, it’s not a good idea to come here,” Roberge said.

However, some details still need to be finalized to fully define the minister’s model.

He promised that a “National Policy on Integration into the Quebec Nation and Common Culture” will be implemented before the 2026 election.

Roberge added that once this national policy is adopted, “all ministries, all agencies, municipalities, etc., when they fund a partner’s project, will need to ensure that the project aligns with the foundations of the national integration model.”

The minister assured that funding already granted will not be withdrawn.

In five years, a report will be produced to evaluate the new integration model.

The evaluation criteria will be set out in the national policy.

Bill 84 was adopted Wednesday morning in the Red Room. The Parti Québécois voted with the government.

Québec Solidaire and the Liberals opposed the bill — a decision the minister expressed regret over. “I don’t really know why — probably partisan clientelism. There must have been a few very, very multiculturalist members who didn’t understand that this was a project of openness,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French May 28, 2025.

By Thomas Laberge, The Canadian Press