100 per cent French: Legault wants all economic immigrants to speak French
Concerned about the decline of French in Quebec, particularly in Montreal, Premier François Legault says he will release more details of a plan that would require 100 per cent of economic immigrants to be French-speaking.
The decline, he told reporters during a press scrum in Quebec City Tuesday, is the second biggest challenge his government and opposition parties are facing and is one that can be solved through immigration. The other pressing challenge, he said, is the transformation to a green economy.
"We are now at less than 50 per cent of francophones on the Island of Montreal, at 48 per cent. We have already taken action with Bill 96. We have already started to take action concerning the selection of immigrants. We will continue to take action to absolutely stop the decline of French. I'm open to all suggestions on the topic," said Legault Tuesday, one day before he is set to deliver his opening speech for the 43rd session of the Quebec legislature.
- READ THE LATEST ON THIS STORY: Quebec wants 100% francophone or 'francotropic' immigration, specifies minister
When asked by a reporter if he envisions making French a requirement for all new immigrants by 2026, Legault said that's the plan.
"I think so. That's what we're aiming for," he said, adding that a "backlog" of thousands of immigrants selected by the previous government through the skilled worker program is causing the province to lag behind.
The work to slow the decline doesn't stop in Montreal, according to the premier, who said efforts must be made to boost the presence of French in places close to Ontario and areas bordering the United States.
Previous governments under the Liberals and the Parti Québécois relied on a 50,000 threshold for French-speaking economic immigrants
He said the Coalition Avenir Québec has been able to bring the level of economic immigrants who speak French to 80 per cent, but Legault said he'll be able to bring it to 100 per cent.
"It's important that we bring back as many powers as we can regarding our identity because Quebec is the only government representing a majority of francophones, so it's important that we get as many powers as we can," the premier said.
Legault is expected to shed more light on his vision Wednesday at the national assembly.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.