To Enrich Quebec and To Support Its Economic Development

Thursday, November 1st, Mrs. Yolande James, Minister for Immigration and Cultural Communities, unveiled the Quebec Immigration Plan for the Year 2008 at the National Assembly. This plan is the result of recent works of the Parliamentary Committee and gives life to the generally expressed wish to open the door to more immigrants. Ninety percent of participants at this commission were said to be in favour of an increase in immigration levels, I consider this to be an important testimony of our openness to others. I also consider this to be a sign of trust towards the government concerning matters of integration and of francization.

We all know that Quebec has many great challenges ahead, large worksites to be carried out and especially important labour needs to fulfill. More than 680,000 jobs will need to be filled by 2011 in all Quebec regions. Thus, immigration constitutes an essential development lever that permits Quebec to grow prosper and thrive.

This year, we have welcomed more than 45,000 immigrants. From 2010 on, our government wishes to welcome 55,000 immigrants. To do so, we have committed to grant the necessary resources and sums. The Gagnon-Tremblay/McDougall Agreement is advantageous for Quebec and plans an increase of federal credits along with the rise of the number of immigrants. To this are added the efforts and material and human resources granted by Quebec to support the integration and francization of our newcomers.

In total, it is more than 217 million dollars that are devoted each year to the francization and integration of immigrants by the Quebec government.

We intend to go even further in terms of coordination, by attracting the totality of the budgets destined to the integration and francization of immigrants to the ministry of Immigration and of Cultural Communities.

But beyond amounts, efforts and commitments, it is about enriching Quebec, by letting in even more competences and expertise, by supporting and increasing economic development and this, to the greater benefit of all Quebecers.

What we propose with the Quebec Immigration Plan for the Year 2008, is a real answer to the workforce and productivity challenge. It is an additional lever to accelerate our economic development. Above all, it is an important asset to help Quebec grow.

Today, we are giving ourselves the necessary means to build a prosperous Quebec together, open to the world and able to increase our economic and social success.

(Courtesy of Guy Ouellette,

Chomedey MNA)

Photo: Guy

(Photo: Martin Alarie)