Quebec makes French Language Mandatory for Immigrants

Starting from June 2023, Quebec immigrants must attain a CLB 7 score in French as a prerequisite for eligibility.

According to section 45 of the Quebec Immigration Act, the decision to invite an individual to apply for permanent selection will be made public.

From June 2023 onwards, only those who indicate in their Expression of Interest (EOI) that they possess an oral French proficiency level of 7 on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrants adultes (Québec scale of French proficiency levels for adult immigrants) will receive invitations to submit applications for permanent selection.

Applicants who have a genuine employment offer outside the Montreal Metropolitan Community may be temporarily invited for permanent selection without the need to disclose their French proficiency level.

Why is there a need to make the French language mandatory in Quebec?

The French language is made mandatory in Quebec for several reasons.

Firstly, Quebec is the only province in Canada where French is the official language, making it unique and significant in terms of cultural identity. Preserving and promoting the French language is essential for maintaining Quebec’s distinct culture and position within Canada.
Additionally, the government of Quebec, led by Premier Legault and the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) party, strongly emphasizes the protection of the French language as a core principle. This commitment to language protection is a key aspect of their political agenda.
Regarding immigration, Legault has consistently expressed the view that Quebec should limit the number of immigrants accepted annually to 50,000. The rationale behind this stance lies in the challenges of integrating a larger number of newcomers into Quebec society. Legault has referred to exceeding this threshold as potentially “a little suicidal.”

However, it is important to note that despite these restrictions, Quebec is facing a labor shortage due to its aging population and low birth rate. According to a study conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Quebec could experience an annual deficit of approximately 18,000 immigrants who could fulfill the province’s labor requirements.