The idea of creating a Ministry of Population is not new, but it is very appropriate following the discussions on immigration thresholds during the last election campaign.
Posted yesterday at 11:00 a.m.
In fact, the establishment of a Ministry of Population and a Quebec Institute for the Study of Population had been seriously considered by the government of Robert Bourassa shortly before the 1976 elections.1. We know the rest, and this proposal never saw the light of day.
The advantage of creating a Ministry of Population is to place the debate on immigration thresholds in the broader context of a real population policy for Quebec that would be developed within this ministry. How do we see Quebec demographically over the next few years? We are already aware of certain unavoidable trends (aging of the population, declining labor force, declining demographic weight within Canada, declining French-speaking population, especially in the Montreal region), but we may wish to attenuate or reverse these trends. through a more holistic approach.
It should be remembered that the growth of the population of Quebec and its demographic weight depend on several components and not only on international immigration.
Mortality and fertility determine the level of natural population increase. With regard to mortality, the government must play an important role in ensuring increased longevity by offering effective health care and social services while promoting a fair balance between the quantity of years lived and the quality of those years, especially in the elderly.
In terms of fertility, a population policy would emphasize the decisive role of the state in enabling families to have the number of children they want. In this regard, Quebec is already doing very well with its daycare program (CPE), parental leave and financial support for families, and thanks to the work-family balance measures offered by many companies. Attention: it is not, of course, a question of returning to the revenge of the cradles, but of improving support for families.
The migratory component in population growth includes several elements: interprovincial migration (entries and exits from Quebec to the rest of Canada), international migration (entries and exits from Quebec to another country) and also variations in the number people who are non-permanent residents (asylum seekers, study permit holders, temporary work permit holders). Each of these elements merits close examination in a population policy. Can the interprovincial balance sheet, which has been in deficit for too long, be improved? Can we better support non-permanent residents to make them permanent residents? With regard to international immigration, Quebec could determine the number of immigrants it wishes to welcome each year in keeping with its population policy. Quebec has certain powers allowing it to control the number of immigrants, but not for all categories of immigrants. Its population policy would be a credible basis for its claims with the federal government.
During 2021, the population of Québec increased by approximately 60,000 people (i.e. a growth rate of 0.7%), three-quarters of which are due to net migration: the number of immigrants is estimated by the Institut de la statistique du Québec at around 50,300, and total net migration at around 45,000. Natural increase (84,900 births minus 69,900 deaths) accounts for 25% of total increase. The migratory component, and in particular international immigration, being currently and by far the most important contribution to population growth, the ministry could have a double name: Ministry of Population and Immigration. This would better reflect not only the demographic, but also the socioeconomic and linguistic issues facing Quebec.