The target of 500,000 immigrants per year in Canada by 2025 sparked a row between Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet and Justin Trudeau during Question Time on Wednesday.
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The debate came after a motion to declare the target “incompatible with the protection of the French language in Quebec” was unanimously approved in Quebec’s National Assembly on Wednesday.
“There are issues related to the cost of the healthcare system, the cost of education, the cost of childcare services and the housing crisis, but obviously there’s the underlying issue of language and culture that comes with it,” the block leader explained to the beginning.
“There is nobody in the National Assembly who agrees with this. What is he [Trudeau] did he say to the Quebec National Assembly?”
Justin Trudeau recalled that the plan was unveiled in November, saying that “the bloc only woke up with the camouflage of Pierre Karl Péladeau and Quebecor”.
Mr. Trudeau was referring to the dossier published in the Journal de Montreal last weekend on the “Initiative of the Century,” an idea by an organization of the same name that proposes increasing immigration to 100 million Canadians by 2100.
In particular, based on various experts, the “Journal” pointed out that the goals promised by Ottawa would lead to reducing Quebec’s weight within the federation and the influence of the French in the country.
Seizing the ball, Mr Blanchet said that “it is seldom wise to attack the accuracy, independence or integrity of a media apparatus”.
“It’s seldom very democratic, especially when the leader of such an apparatus is Pierre Karl Péladeau.”
Ottawa’s vision is largely driven by economic ambition, Mr. Trudeau and his immigration minister, Sean Fraser, recalled earlier in the day.
“We always respect Quebec, we will always protect the French language, but when I walk around Abitibi, Beauce, or anywhere in Quebec’s regions, entrepreneurs tell me, ‘We need labor, we need labor, and that’s what we’re delivering.’ ‘ said Mr. Trudeau.
The Legault government is currently working on immigration reform. The motion, approved in Quebec on Wednesday and tabled by Minister for French Language Jonathan Roberge, also stressed that “it is up to Quebec alone to make its own decisions” regarding immigration.