100 per cent French: Legault wants all economic immigrants to speak French
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.
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.
A gay man is taking the federal government to court, challenging the constitutionality of a policy restricting sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned.
Nearly a year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, community organizers say there is still work to be done to help the thousands of Ukrainian refugees looking to start a new life in Canada while coping with the hardships they've faced coming here.
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.
Scientists in Japan may have unlocked the key to recreating how plants perform photosynthesis, according to a new study, potentially paving the way for new ways to harvest solar energy.
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.
Hundreds of tenants at a midtown Toronto apartment building have been without heat for a week now, and many are worried with the arrival of bitter-cold temperatures.
A new 911 dispatch system in New Brunswick means that now fire departments aren’t getting dispatched to all medical calls leaving residents waiting and first responders in the dark.
A day after Loblaws' price-freeze on No Name products ended, some experts are warning retailers that consumers won't hesitate to find new places to shop if prices are better.
More than four months after Hurricane Fiona hit Atlantic Canada, people are still dealing with damaged homes as they wait for help from insurance companies and provincial aid programs.
Gillian Burnett was almost finished her work day on Jan. 24 when she received a terrifying call about her young son. Waylon, 20-months-old, was found submerged in an outdoor pool at a home daycare near Petrolia, Ont.
A shelter that offers support to sex workers will soon be relocating to Old East Village, and while the move is positive news for the shelter, not all residents feel the same way.
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service officials are encouraging any local victims to come forward following the arrest of actor Nathan Lee Chasing Horse in Las Vegas on sex assault charges.
Calgary police are looking for suspects involved in an altercation that lasted for approximately an hour, spanned several communities and ended with a gun being fired.
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service officials are encouraging any local victims to come forward following the arrest of actor Nathan Lee Chasing Horse in Las Vegas on sex assault charges.
A hearing is underway to determine if Udo Haan is not criminally responsible for the death of his wife Edra Haan, who was found in the aftermath of the 2018 house explosion in Kitchener, Ont.
Chief Mark Crowell made a presentation at a council meeting Wednesday justifying the proposed $214 million budget for the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS).
An 2SLGBTQ+ advocate believes hateful online rhetoric is fuelling a rise in real world harassment against members of the queer community – and says a recent homophobic tirade caught on video in downtown Vancouver is only the latest example.
Alberta's former chief medical officer of health has landed a new role in British Columbia. Dr. Deena Hinshaw was named a deputy provincial health officer for B.C. on Wednesday.
Following a suicide bomb blast that killed more than 100 people in a mosque in Pakistan’s northern city of Peshawar, community leaders in Windsor-Essex are reminding people these attacks are rare and should not be simply dismissed as a byproduct of living in that part of the world.
Connor Bedard has arrived in Calgary ahead of what's expected to be a completely full Scotiabank Saddledome when the Calgary Hitmen and Regina Pats square off.
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) is drawing their line in the sand on the controversial Saskatchewan First Act, calling it “bad news” for the environment, economy, and the province’s energy future.
While crews have resumed operations in an attempt to open the Rideau Canal Skateway for its 53rd season, an NCC spokesperson tells CTV News Ottawa the canal will not open in time for the first weekend of Winterlude on Friday.
