These weeks, a parliamentary commission on immigration planning in Quebec for the period 2024-2027 is being held in Quebec. This commission aims to choose between maintaining the current scenario of 50,000 or a gradual increase to 60,000 for 2026. In 2022, Quebec welcomed 68,700 permanent immigrants… As the other would say, an hour later in the Maritimes.
On the side of temporary immigration (workers and students), we are seeing a dazzling progression since we went from 145,000 on Quebec soil in 2021 to 370,000 today. Figures that some (CIBC, CD Howe) consider well below reality, since they go so far as to speak of double.
All this is obviously part of the crazy Canadian policy called the “Initiative of the Century” which aims for a Canada with 100 million inhabitants by 2100. As a result, things are happening everywhere. We even recently witnessed a clash between Justin Trudeau and one of his ministers. The sticking point: the housing crisis plaguing Canada. Here in Quebec, the University of Quebec at Rimouski had to cancel the arrival of 200 foreign students in June due to lack of accommodation.
Another point of friction: the language of integration of immigrants. This problem is vital in a Quebec where French has been seriously undermined for several years. However, immigrants who immigrate primarily to Canada in an English-speaking North American sea tend to be very open to English. Temporary immigrants, whose numbers are exploding, have no obligation at this level. In a country where federalists have long used immigration to combat Quebecers’ aspirations for independence, there is enough to fuel a certain paranoia.
Working conditions
Additional point of friction: downward pressure on working conditions generated by the growing employment of temporary foreign workers. In this regard, a red light was recently lit since a UN report went so far as to speak of new slavery, citing Canada and Quebec by name. Cases of exploitation of foreign workers revealed by the media are increasing. Foreign students are often also workers, even if only part-time, and their vulnerability is very real, even if it is not as obvious as that of foreign workers with closed permits. In addition, their spouse also obtains the right to immigrate and… to work.
Everyone remembers François Legault’s offensive speech during the 2018 elections. “We are going to repatriate all immigration powers. » We know the rest. Mr. Legault returned from Ottawa “with his jacket under his arm saying: ‘OK, first’”. Today, not only has he taken his place, but he has become a zealous architect of the “Initiative of the Century” by force of circumstances. The figures are there to prove it. All this without saying it, in perfect hypocrisy.
The reason for this turnaround is easy to find since the explosion in the number of temporary foreign workers is very pleasing to Quebec bosses, who find there a hypervulnerable workforce and completely at the mercy of the most aggressive among them. We must not forget that the Council of Ministers is made up of a third of business people.
Discreet on immigration, the Caquistes are on the other hand very vocal regarding a supposed shortage of labor. They serve it to us in every way. However, in Montreal currently, a new Walmart is opening its doors. For 300 positions, managers received more than 3,000 applications. There is not a shortage of labor, but rather a scarcity, and it is easy to understand that this displeases employers who must put their hands in their deep pockets to treat their employees better.