There is no way out. To save French in Quebec, the very idea of exclusively or almost welcoming immigrants who already have a knowledge of French is, in fact, an admission of failure.
For what ? Because the very idea assumes that the political authorities, at all levels, would be incapable of welcoming, integrating and francizing new Quebecers with real efficiency.
Let’s think about it. As an observation, it is without forgiveness. The question now is whether it is lucidity or defeatism. It’s most likely a combination of the two. Even within the Quebec population, opinion on the subject is a perfect reflection of this.
No consensus
According to a Leger/Le Journal poll released Wednesday, 47% of respondents say Quebec “should only welcome French-speaking immigrants,” but 45% say no. No consensus here.
Among Francophones, the proportion wishing it rose to 57%, but we are still far from a strong majority position.
Many Quebecers therefore seem to be hoping that the necessary public policies and resources will be devoted to better integrating newcomers. The protection of French would also be much better off.
A subject of interest, but mixed
While the CAQ government often talks about immigration, only 24% of survey respondents say that the subject affects them “a lot”, including barely 28% of Francophones.
Even the proportion of Quebecers who feel “very much” affected by the lamentable state of their health care system would surely be higher.
Conclusion: a substantial proportion of Quebecers seems to be fully aware of the wealth that a more diversified immigration on all fronts already brings to Quebec. And has been for a long time.
Insofar as, of course, the political decision-makers took even more the right means, legislative and financial, to ensure in the long term a more successful integration and francization.