(Quebec) The Parti Québécois (PQ) calls on the CAQ government to oppose the new federal immigration targets.
Posted at 11:19 a.m.
In a letter sent to Premier François Legault, PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon asks him to formally protest against these targets and to demand full powers over immigration for Quebec.
According to the PQ, it is about the future of Quebec and its political and demographic weight in the federation.
Last week, Ottawa announced an increase in the threshold of immigrants to 430,000 and more for 2022 and the following years, up to 451,000 in 2024. For comparison, the objective was 341,000 in 2020 or even 280,000 under the Harper government.
Was Quebec consulted by Ottawa before establishing its targets? Because that is what the Quebec-Ottawa agreement signed in 1991 provides.
In his letter, Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon asks the Prime Minister whether his government was consulted and whether it endorsed this considerable increase.
If Quebec receives its proportional share, between 100,000 and 120,000, it is clearly above its reception and integration capacity, which aims to ensure the future of French and Quebec culture, argues Ms. St-Pierre Plamondon.
At the rate at which the Canadian population increases, Quebec, which once accounted for 25% of the country’s demographic weight, but which has since slipped to 23%, will eventually fall below 20%.
“That already places Quebec in a situation of political insignificance in the sense that to win the post of Prime Minister of Canada, we no longer need to win Quebec,” noted Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon in an interview with La Presse. Canadian aired Saturday.
“Given the particularity and fragility of Francophones in America, being in a political entity that does not need to take your interests into account to exercise power, given the imperialist and colonialist history of Canada, vis-à-vis vis-à-vis the francophones and the natives, it is very, very clear what awaits us if we remain in Canada”, he continued, pleading for “the real urgency” to make the independence of Quebec.
He further recalled reports that it was much more difficult and time-consuming for French-speaking immigration candidates to be admitted to Canada than for English-speaking people. He campaigned for Quebec to obtain full powers over immigration, which the CAQ had also undertaken to demand.
According to Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon, globalization and the accessibility of English-language cultural content have weakened Quebec culture like never before and we must act quickly.
“These are questions that go beyond polls and ‘partisanship,'” he pleaded. This is the question of the future of French, Quebec culture in America over several years. So, there, you have to rise a little, say: what should we do? »
But opening a debate on immigration thresholds, isn’t this however exposing oneself to accusations of xenophobia given the divisions that currently exist?
The PQ leader sweeps away this risk. He always said that we had to focus on those people who choose Quebec, give them quality services and all the resources they need.
“I have always handled this issue with rigor and a sense of responsibility. […] The (immigration) thresholds are bound to fluctuate. We must be able to have informed discussions, without insults or ideological intimidation. You have to be able to talk about it objectively and responsibly. »