Quebec plans to attract more French-speaking newcomers have angered some business owners who say they need migrants from different backgrounds to cope with the narrow labor market in the province. Unlike other provinces, Quebec can choose its economic migrants. The government has previously reduced the number of new permanent residents it brings, relying more on temporary workers and says it has increased the share of French-speaking economic migrants. Prime Minister François Lego’s Coalition Avenir Quebec is determined to protect the French, which he says are vulnerable in the predominantly English-speaking North America ahead of the October 3 election. His government announced a new French minister and passed a sweeping law requiring, among other things, newcomers to receive most non-sanitary services in French after six months in the province. While Mr. Legault is campaigning to attract more French-speakers, some business owners warn that the move could wipe out immigrants with critical skills. Quebec has the second highest vacancy rate in Canada among provinces. Montreal businessman Vince Guzzo, whose businesses include restaurants and cinemas, said he was desperate for dishwashers regardless of the language they spoke. “I would download an app… and my phone would translate it to Punjabi if I had to,” Mr Guzzo told Reuters. According to Statistics Canada from the fourth quarter of 2021, Quebec accounts for nearly 40 percent of Canada’s estimated 81,000 vacancies. Manufacturing accounted for 12.6 percent of Quebec’s gross domestic product in 2021 – higher than any other sector. “We are not saying that French is not important. “But it becomes a limiting factor when we attract the best people and the best talent we need,” said Véronique Proulx, president of Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters. He called Quebec’s shift to temporary work a “bandage aid” for labor shortages in manufacturing. “We have some companies that are thinking of closing production lines.” Minister Jean Boulet, who is in charge of work and immigration in Quebec, said in an e-mail that his government has taken steps to attract foreign students and workers in priority areas. He said the new law would include services that would facilitate the learning of French. Quebec plans to accept more than 71,000 permanent residents in 2022, as the number of migrants dropped to 25,225 in 2020 due to the pandemic. Mr Boulet said the CAQ had deliberately brought in fewer new residents after it came to power in 2018 to help newcomers integrate and that it was working to better recognize foreign credentials. Quebec’s share of Canada’s total new resident population fell to about 12.4 percent last year from 21.3 percent in 2012, according to government figures. Quebec is also in danger of losing newcomers to other parts of Canada. About 16.3 percent of immigrants who came to Quebec in 2009 had left for other provinces by 2019, almost double that of Ontario, according to Statistics Canada. Quebec has historically been a popular destination for immigrants to Canada. But changing the criteria for permanent residency for temporary residents and the long wait to obtain a residence permit could discourage newcomers, said Montreal-based immigration lawyer Rosalie Brunel. Ms Boulet said 84 per cent of economic migrants admitted in 2021 spoke French, up from 56 per cent in 2019. His office said Quebec had increased its share of the French-speaking world by selecting applicants for certain immigration streams and making French programs accessible to temporary residents. Mr Legault wants Quebec to select people who are migrating to reunite with their families – a power held by the federal government of Canada – so that it can select more French speakers. The head of one manufacturer said that the government wants companies to hire French-speaking workers. Quebec said companies could also turn to alternatives such as automation. “The dream is to have well-trained French-speaking employees, but that is not always realistic,” said Technosub CEO Eric Beaupré. Technosub, based in rural Rouyn-Noranda, Que., Manufactures and repairs pumps for mining and other sectors. With a limited local workforce, Technosub is hiring more temporary workers from Latin America and the Philippines who need skills and learn French on the job, he said. Emmanuel Suerte Felipe arrived at Technosub as a temporary employee from the Philippines in 2018. His French is good enough for the job, but he worries about moving out of his permanent residence as he wants to bring his family to Quebec. “I would love to stay here,” he said. “I found the job of my dreams.” Your time is precious. Deliver the Top Business Headlines newsletter to your inbox in the morning or evening. Register today.
