French at the heart of priorities in Quebec
At the heart of Quebec’s identity, French is the official language and the most widely spoken language in the province. Discover the government’s measures to counter the decline of the French language in Quebec !
Quebec distinguishes itself from other Canadian provinces in one significant aspect: the commonly spoken language is French, while the rest of Canada predominantly uses English.
While the French language holds a prominent place in Quebec, the province has been concerned about the decline in the use of French for several years. This concern justifies the recent government measures in this regard.
THE PLACE OF FRENCH IN QUEBEC
As the sole official language of Quebec since 1977, French plays a significant role in the history of the Belle-Province.
With over 80% of Francophones, daily and professional exchanges primarily occur in French. It’s not surprising to see that Quebec is often the preferred choice for French-speaking individuals settling in Canada.
IN RESPONSE TO THE DECLINE OF FRENCH, THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING ACTION
However, in recent years, the Quebec government has expressed concerns about the declining use of the French language in everyday life.
Recent data indeed shows a decrease in the use of French at home and in professional settings.
To protect its French identity and maintain its distinctiveness from the rest of the Canadian territory, the province of Quebec has implemented measures with several objectives: strengthening French language proficiency requirements for foreign nationals and promoting the learning and use of the language in daily life and professional settings.
A CRITERION FOR IMMIGRATING TO QUEBEC
Foreign nationals wishing to obtain permanent residence in Quebec must obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
Admission conditions for permanent residence include a certain level of French language proficiency. Under the Programme de l’Expérience Québécoise and the Programme Régulier des Travailleurs Qualifiés, candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of French language proficiency both in writing and orally.
The knowledge of French for permanent residence ensures that every immigrant is capable of communicating effectively in the language.
MEASURES TO SUPPORT FRENCH LANGUAGE LEARNING
Quebec offers the opportunity for all adults living in Quebec to take French language courses, which are free of charge. These courses are also available to foreigners with immigration plans for Quebec.
This initiative aims to encourage the integration of foreign nationals into Quebec’s social and professional life.
LAW 96 AMENDS THE CHARTER OF THE FRENCH LANGUAGE
Law 96 seeks to amend Law 101, also known as the Charter of the French Language, adopted in 1977, which recognized French as the official language of Quebec.
Effective since June 2022, Law 96 introduces several changes. It notably expands the number of Quebec companies required to submit a francization program to promote the use of French in their internal operations and activities. This requirement previously applied to companies with over 50 employees and now extends to those with more than 25 employees.
Among the modifications is the right for any person residing in Quebec to receive French language learning services. The law also establishes a centralized portal for French language learning services called Francisation Québec.
FRANCISATION QUÉBEC, CENTRALIZING FRENCH LANGUAGE LEARNING SERVICES
The Francisation Québec portal, instituted within the Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration, has been operational since June 2023. Its goal is to centralize and coordinate French language learning services, simplifying processes and reducing registration times.
It offers training within businesses, as well as educational programs and tools. Francisation Québec serves the following groups:
- Individuals residing in Quebec
- Foreign nationals with immigration plans for Quebec
- Workers within Quebec companies
This institution addresses a growing demand for French language courses among individuals. Approximately 50,000 people have benefited from francization measures between 2021 and 2023.
It’s also a logical extension of the language proficiency requirements introduced by Law 96 for immigrants. According to the law, immigrants may no longer communicate with certain public services other than in French six months after their arrival. However, the government couldn’t demand such a timeframe without providing the necessary tools to newcomers. In this context, Francisation Québec makes sense by allowing immigrants to learn French more quickly.
French is an integral part of Quebec’s identity, reflecting the province’s history and current social and demographic characteristics. Recognizing that the French language is now perceived as threatened, the province has implemented measures to ensure the preservation of its linguistic heritage.
These measures apply to both foreign nationals and individuals seeking to settle in Quebec, as well as Quebec companies. It’s essential to be aware of the specific guidelines that apply to either category.
Through various francization programs, such as the newly established Francisation Québec portal, Quebec aims to support the use of the French language in daily life, both at home and in the workplace, while continuing to protect its English-speaking minorities.