Quebec denies French citizen's immigration application because chapter of thesis was in English

milie Dubois had everything she needed to settle in Quebec long term. A French citizen, she applied to come to the province after completing a PhD at French-language Laval University in Quebec City.

But the provincial government refused Dubois's residency application because one chapter of her thesis was in English.

In a letter sent to Dubois earlier this year, the Immigration Ministry said the 31-year-old French native had not demonstratedshe had the level of French required to receive a Quebec selection certificate, the first step toward permanent residency,under the province's experience program (PEQ).

"You did not complete program of study in Quebec entirely in French, including the dissertation or thesis," the letter read.

"I have a diploma from a francophone university, the first in Canada. I'm a French citizen, too, and I did all of my studies in French," Dubois told Radio-Canada.

One of the five chapters of her thesis on cellular and molecular biology was written in Englishbecause it was a scholarly article published in a scientific journal.

The rest of her studies were in French,including the seminars and thesis defence.

"It's like an avalanche fell on my head and I don't know why," she said.

The PEQhas been at the centre of controversy for the CAQ government. Theprovince cut about 300 fields of study from the list of oneseligible for the program,which gives foreign students studying in the province a fast track toward permanent residency.

The moveleft thousands of current students hoping to settle in Quebec without a clear path forward, and prompted criticism from politicians, academics and business leaders.

In response, the government recently backtracked on its position, saying those already studying under the program would be allowed to complete it.

Took French test as proof

Dubois said she was informed her thesis could be a problem in December 2018. She asked the ministry for extra time to rectify the situation.

Dubois then passed a French test recognized by the ministry and sent the results to the government.

A month later, she received the letter.

"My life is here," said Dubois, who has been living in Quebec since 2012. "You cannot tell me that I cannot prove that I speak French."

In addition, Dubois who started her own business after graduating is now considered a self-employed worker. The PEQdoes not allow self-employed graduates to apply.

'It doesn't make sense'

It's a situation Catherine Dorion, the Qubec SolidaireMNA for Taschereau where Dubois lives, says is absurd.

"We have a French girl called milie Dubois who is rejected for citizenship or permanent residency because we have no proof of her knowledge of French?" Dorion said.

Dorion said she will ask the Immigration Ministry for an explanation.

"It doesn't make sense," she said. "If in the administrative mazewe did not handle this case intelligently, our jobis to shed light on it."

Christopher Skeete, the parliamentarysecretaryresponsible for relations with the English-speaking community, tweeted on Thursday morning that the decision was being reviewed.