Parti Quebecois leadership candidate Bernard Drainville wants the provincial government to do more to integrate immigrants.
The mastermind of the PQ's failed Charter of Values wants immigrants to get help finding better job opportunities and help fighting discrimination in the workplace.
"They come here and they're not fully used. Some of them drive taxi cabs or clean up corridors in school buildings," said Drainville, pointing out that unemployment rates for immigrants in Quebec are generally three to four percentage points higher than for other Quebecers.
"You remember that a lot of immigrants have been selected because of their competencies, because of their skills, and they come here and these skills are not taken advantage of," said Drainville
He said the province would benefit if immigrants had an easier time getting their education recognized and learning French.
Drainville said many immigrants also choose Quebec because of the value it places on equality of the sexes and its secular institutions, which is why he will relaunch his push for a Charter of Secular Values this week.
The former minister said official rules governing religious garb in the workplace will send a welcoming message to immigrants
