Francophile entrepreneurs who wish to come to Quebec to develop a project there denounce the suspension of an immigration program announced last week.
“My immigration plan could change or end because the Quebec authorities simply close their doors despite my courage to adapt and learn French,” laments Duy Sang Dao, a 36-year-old Vietnamese entrepreneur.
He and his team have been working for 10 months with the Quebec startup incubator Continuums on an application that aims to “revolutionize our perception of nutrition”.
Duy Sang Dao chose Quebec in particular because his sister already lives in Montreal, and he has been taking French lessons for six months in Vietnam. “I know that French is a pride of Quebec and a beautiful language,” he said, assuring that he wanted to continue learning.
But his level of French is no longer considered sufficient for him to come and settle in Quebec.
The Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration, Christine Fréchette, announced last Wednesday to suspend the receipt of applications for non-French-speaking candidates in component 1 of the Entrepreneur Program, as well as in the Self-Employed Workers Program. , starting December 28.
Only entrepreneurs who speak French or have sufficient knowledge of French will be able to submit an application.
“I fear that I will not have the chance to find my sister and develop my business, even though I have invested in the project for almost a year,” said Mr. Dao, who heard the news from the media.
Susan Harris, a 66-year-old writer and curator from New York, also said she was “very disappointed” with the suspension of the program. She planned to come to Montreal to write about local exhibits and artists, and maybe even open a gallery.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SUSAN HARRIS
Writer and curator Susan Harris
In love with the metropolis, Mme Harris says she is motivated to learn French and hopes to find another way to carry out her plans.
Protect French against 75 candidates
“Thanks to this decision, we are acting for the sustainability and vitality of the French language while promoting the successful integration of immigrants into Quebec society,” said the Minister in a press release during the announcement.
Marc-André Séguin, an immigration lawyer whose firm represents Mr. Dao, Mr.me Harris and other contractors affected by the decision are skeptical and call the choice “extremely distressing.”
“The program was limited to 75 people. Nothing threatening for French in Quebec, he says. These are 75 Francophiles and their innovative business projects […] to whom Quebec closes the door. »
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Me Marc-André Séguin, from the law firm specializing in immigration law Exeo
The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) confirms the existence of a maximum threshold of 75 applications from non-French-speaking candidates in the last year for this program.
“Although we are talking about a relatively small number of people here, every gesture counts and that is why we have decided to act now,” argues Alexandre Lahaie, from Minister Fréchette’s office.
But these business projects “will now end up in English Canada because of this simplistic decision by Quebec,” says Ms.e Seguin.
The firm and the MIFI maintain, however, that the suspension will not have a negative effect on the Quebec economy, in particular because it will be compensated by other candidates for immigration, Francophones selected by Quebec or new permanent residents awaiting processing of their application by the federal government.
With The Canadian Press