Franois Legault in hot seat over immigration misstep

CoalitionAvenirQubec leaderFranoisLegault came under fire Sunday over an answer he gave to a Radio-Canada journalist the day before about how long it takes for a new immigrant to become a Canadian citizen.

Legaultanswered "a few months," and was corrected it actually takes at leastthree years.

Reducing the number of immigrants Quebec accepts annually is one of the main policiesin the CAQelection platform, and other party leaders were quick tocriticize his response.

On Sunday, Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard took his shot, saying that "Legaultwants to have a test for expulsion but fails the test of understanding, of knowledge."

Parti Qubcois Leader Jean-Franois Lise said Legault had lost credibility.

"He doesn't know the basics of his own program," the PQ leader said. "He can't be premier."

Legault is proposing that Quebec reduce the present level ofimmigrants allowed into Quebec each year from 50,000 to40,000.

Testing forFrench and Quebec values

The CAQ is also proposing compulsory courses in French and a mandatory Quebec values test for newcomers within three years after their arrival.

Quebec has some powers over immigration,and can grant a "certificate of selection" to newcomers, as a first step toward Canadian citizenship.

Legault is proposing that those who fail the French and Quebec values tests would not be granted a Quebec certificate of selection, blocking them from seeking Canadian citizenship.

On Sunday, the CAQ leader said he had read up on the subject.