Quebec’s cultural integration bill hopes to establish a values test for new immigrants and to counter the effects of mass immigration on the province.
Quebec’s minister of immigration, Jean-Francois Roberge introduced Bill 84 earlier this year, An Act respecting national integration, taking a multifaceted approach to countering mass migration in Quebec.
Before introducing the legislation in January, Minister Roberge said that Canada’s model of multiculturalism does not work for Quebec, and instead newcomers should embrace a common culture in Quebec, to avoid ghettoization.
Concerned with both the French language and social values of Quebec’s distinct culture, the bill seeks to establish a new integration model implemented by the provincial government for newcomers to integrate.
The Bill proposes an educational program; “integration pathway” which includes both French language classes and cultural orientation for immigrants, including refugees.
Minister Roberge also suggested that festivals that fail to promote Quebec’s culture would have their public funding cut by the government.
The bill is currently at the consultation stage, and is likely to be passed since the governing CAQ still maintains a strong majority of 90 seats.
The party most likely to challenge the CAQ in the 2026 election is the Parti Quebecois led by Paul St-Piere Plamondon, who said “Bill 84 lacks teeth, if we really want to protect Quebec identity, we need to go beyond words— put in place strict obligations for French”.
Quebec’s migration concerns relate to its high level of migration from sub-Saharan and North African countries like Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco, which are also Sunni-Muslim majority societies.
Quebec hosts the second largest population of Muslims in Canada, second only to Ontario, where they are viewed more unfavourably than any other province according to an Angus Reid poll.
A poll from last year showed nearly two-thirds of Canadians disagreeing with Trudeau’s immigration policy, citing concerns over housing availability and increased cost of living.
At the federal level, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has proposed that he would bring back immigration to Harper-era levels, around the 200,000 to 250,000 range, while also committing to deport individuals who break Canadian law while on a temporary visa.