Quebec raises French language requirements for immigrants

What has happened? Quebec Prime Minister François Legault has introduced strict new requirements that will make it mandatory for nearly all economic immigrants to Quebec to be able to speak and write in French.

Quote. "I am the only head of state in America who represents a majority of French speakers, so I have a responsibility to history, to protect and to continue this 400-year journey of a Francophone nation," Legault said at a news conference Thursday afternoon at the National Assembly.

The main changes:

• Economic immigrants will be required to have at least an intermediate knowledge of French (previously they could earn points for knowing French, but this was not mandatory).
• Boosting French-language knowledge requirements for temporary foreign workers and foreign students under the Quebec Experience Program, also known as the PEQ. 
• There will be a requirement for people who sponsor relatives coming to Quebec under the family reunification program to submit an "integration plan" for relatives aged 18-55 to learn French.

So what is the plan? Legault  says the goal of the plan is for 100% of economic immigrants in the province to be able to speak and write French.

"For many years now, we see year after year, the percentage of francophones in Quebec decreasing," the premier said.

Peculiarities. The Prime Minister's plan loosens restrictions on the number of international students and foreign workers eligible to immigrate to Quebec under the PEQ program. The level of French required of economic immigrants will vary depending on the type of work they do.

The plan also allows exceptions for people with "exceptional talents," defined as "rare and unique expertise that could contribute to economic prosperity."

Source: CBC

Фото: Rich Martello/Unsplash

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