Does Québec need more autonomy on immigration?

Québec Premier François Legault and the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) are asking for more autonomy from the federal government when it comes to immigration. But is there substance in that claim?

“Québec’s got a pretty good deal,” said political analyst Karim Boulos. “And I don’t know what more control they could possibly be wanting.

“Québec has successfully negotiated a lot of control of its immigration in a deal dating back at least 20 years. Thirty years, in fact, early ‘90s. Québec earned the right to pick and choose essentially or filter its immigrants and choose how people are integrated into Québec society.”

According to the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration, the proportion of immigrants admitted subject to a Québec selection was around 70 per cent in 2018 and 2019.

In 2020 and 2021, that number fell to around 60 per cent due to the pandemic.

And from January to August of this year, the proportion of people admitted who were subject to a Québec selection was at 73 per cent.

“In terms of both immigration and the integration of newcomers, the Québec government has more power than the other provinces,” said Daniel Béland, the director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada.

Béland says this push for more control stems from where Québec perceives less power: family reunification and refugee classes of immigrants.

“Many people are linking immigration with the perceived decline of French language, especially in Montreal, and they want the province to have more control over immigration,” he said.

“What the CAQ wants to do is, I think, is increase professional control so that the knowledge of French language become becomes a condition or a major factor or more important factor in family reunification. And I think that the federal government just doesn’t want to lose control over that area.”

Boulos says despite Legault winning 90 seats in the Oct. 3 provincial election, the premier is still under pressure to strengthen the Québec identity and the French language.

“I think this message is more intended for Québec voters as a display of his commitment to ensuring the long-term survival of the French language,” said Boulos.

“The issue here isn’t so much about gaining more control over immigration.”

With controversial comments made by Legault and the outgoing immigration minister, Jean Boulet, during the election campaign – on immigration – Boulos says the bid for more autonomy is contradictory.

“He was very clear with his famous line “en prendre moins, mais en prendre soin,” right?” said Boulos. “Take fewer so we can take better care of them. So to say that he wants more control over immigration when he is currently not taking the pro-rated share that Québec could be taking in, seems contradictory in its nature.”