Quebec's French language commissioner has proposed a mandatory integration pathway for all newcomers to ensure their full participation in French-language life across the province. The recommendation comes amid growing concerns about separation between immigrants and French-speaking Quebecers.
Growing Divide Between Communities
In a report published Wednesday, Benoît Dubreuil, Quebec's French language commissioner, warned that the increasing separation between immigrants and French-speaking Quebecers is weakening social cohesion and attachment to French culture. The situation is particularly concerning in Montreal, where new arrivals face what the commissioner describes as being "overexposed to anglophones and underexposed to francophones."
The report highlights that in the Montreal area, third-generation francophones predominantly live in suburbs and specific neighborhoods on the island where there are typically fewer immigrants. This geographic separation contributes to the cultural divide that the commissioner's plan aims to address.
Four-Step Integration Pathway
The proposed mandatory integration pathway would involve four key components designed to ensure newcomers become fully integrated into Quebec's French-speaking society:
Orientation sessions would provide pre-arrival or early-arrival workshops covering Quebec society, culture, labor market information, and public services.
Settlement support would offer personalized guidance to help immigrants navigate available services based on their skills, career goals, and location, delivered through partnerships with municipalities, employers, and schools.
French-language training would be provided to ensure immigrants can fully participate in society and qualify for permanent residency.
Social participation would require immigrants to engage in activities conducted in French with non-immigrants, including sports, cultural events, recreational programs, and mentorship pairings with established Quebecers.
European Inspiration and Legal Framework
The commissioner's report points to several European countries that have already implemented similar mandatory integration programs. "In most cases, it is mandatory for at least certain categories of immigrants," the report states, noting that these programs typically include citizenship training, language instruction, and employment integration support.
This recommendation comes as Quebec prepares to create a "National Policy on Integration into the Quebec Nation and Common Culture," a requirement under the Act on Integration into the Quebec Nation adopted by the National Assembly in May. The law establishes that French is the official and common language of integration, Quebec culture is the common culture, and emphasizes equality between women and men while recognizing Quebec as a secular state.
The law obliges the state, its ministries, cities, schools, and even community organizations staging festivals that receive public financial assistance to participate fully in integrating new arrivals. In return, immigrants are expected to respect a social contract that includes adhering to Quebec's democratic values, learning about Quebec, and mastering the French language if they haven't done so upon arrival.
Wednesday's study is one of three reports totaling 270 pages released this week examining how to better integrate immigrants into Quebec's French-speaking society. Since taking office in 2018, the Legault government has made promoting French and curbing English use a top priority, including establishing the language commissioner position in 2023 under Bill 96 and recently increasing its staff and budget.
