CAQ wants to let fewer immigrants into Quebec

The Coalition Avenir Qubec wants to decrease the number of immigrants allowed into Quebec.

The right-leaning party says it wouldreduce the province'simmigration threshold by 20 per cent, from 50,000 to 40,000 people per year.

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Leader Franois Legault announced his party's newest idea in Saint-JrmeTuesday,the last day of caucus meetings ahead of the fall parliamentary session.

He said thousands of immigrants haven't mastered French and haven't entered the job market.

"We have to open our eyes. We have a real problem," he said.

When asked whether current immigration policies threaten Quebec identity,Legaultsaid that he can "objectively" see that certain people who live in the province "don't adhere to a fundamental value, equality between men and women."

However, Legault said he still believes the majority of Quebecers believe in that equality.

"But we have to be careful, we have to ask questions, like the ones they're asking in Europe," he said.

InApril, Immigration Minister KathleenWeilsaid the provincial government is planning to keep the threshold at 50,000 people for 2017.

Why a 20 per cent decrease?

In an interview with Radio-Canada, immigration lawyerStphaneHandfield questioned the reason for a 20 per cent decrease.

"Why not 45,000, why not 30,000, why not 35,000?" he said.

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During the announcement,Legaultrepeatedly mentioned the need to protect the French language.

Quebec has a special agreement with the Canadian government when it comes toimmigration skilledworkersmust obtain what is called a selection certificate from the Quebec government before applying for permanent residency.

Handfield said while he is all for protecting the French language, he pointed outskilled workerswho want to immigrate to Quebec must demonstrate they canspeak French in order to obtain thatcertificate.

Quebec's Trump?

BothPremier PhilippeCouillardandQubecSolidaireMNAFranoiseDavid have recently comparedLegaultto U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump.

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In March, Couillard accused Legaultof"fanning the flames of intolerance" when Legaultquestioneda possible increase in the province's immigration threshold.

Legaulthas also revivedhis proposal from last yearthatnewcomers be subjected to a testofFrench-language skills and knowledge of Quebec values.

Under that plan, those who fail the test after two tries would beasked to return to their country of origin or go to another province.

Handfield said he doesn't think the test would hold up under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"Failing a test doesn't mean someone doesn't adhere to Quebec values," he said.

CAQ MNANathalieRoy also recentlymade headlines recently for saying police officers shouldn't be able to wear hijabs and that burkinis,swimsuits thatcoverthe legs, arms and torso and includea veil,have no place in Quebec.

The next provincial electionis tentatively scheduled for Oct.1,2018.