In his attack on Quebec’s immigration policies, federal Minister Marc Miller questioned the concept of reception capacity. This concept would be vague and experts do not agree on a calculation.
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We understand the strategy: to justify such high figures, the government which has lost control of immigration is trying to blow up the ceiling. He attempts to demonstrate that no number of new arrivals should be called exaggerated. Those who cry about exceeding reception capacity would therefore be the alarmists denounced by the Trudeau government.
It seems that Marc Miller is forgetting the very clear links between uncontrolled immigration and the housing crisis, established by seasoned economists. Or the overflow of Montreal schools described by the Minister of Education in connection with the influx of asylum seekers. In concrete terms, there is indeed a reception capacity above which problems emerge.
When we use the expression “carrying capacity”, it is not an arithmetic equation that will give you a precise figure. Rather, it is a compass for decision-makers to avoid making irresponsible decisions.
The concept of carrying capacity applies to all societies. It refers to measurable capacities: available housing, accessibility to public services, available jobs, etc.
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Different in Quebec
However, in the case of Quebec, anyone who cares about our cultural and linguistic survival knows that our immigration policy must go further. Beyond reception capacity, Quebec must also ensure its capacity to integrate new arrivals.
I sincerely have the impression that in the current crisis, we are forgetting to name this fundamental fact. The immigration levels that apply to Quebec must take into account the integration capacity of Quebec society. Because we are a minority on this continent with a language to protect.
In Toronto, there is no such concern. If an immigrant finds housing and a job, it will be considered a successful experience. That he speaks his mother tongue on a daily basis while living in a ghetto with citizens from the same country is very correct. In any case, in North America, he will have no choice in eventually learning English.
Archive photo, AFP
In French
In Quebec, we will talk about a truly successful immigration experience if the person learns French and works in French. Would we now be embarrassed to recall this objective which is nevertheless at the heart of our policy?
Extract from article 1 of the Quebec Immigration Act: “promote the INTEGRATION of immigrants and their family members (…), in particular through the learning of French, democratic values and Quebec values “.
Article 3 of the same law requires that in establishing the annual immigration threshold, the minister takes into account “its reception AND INTEGRATION capacity”.
Quebec must reaffirm, in the face of the federal government, that its policy aims to integrate newcomers. Even if it’s sinful in a woke country.