Quebec

Quebec birth rate: Quebec birth rate drops for 6th straight year Quebec outlines new financing for subsidized daycares Canada in 50 years — an aging population and a shift to the West While that figure may not appear abnormally low, the province also has a rapidly aging population and a growing shortage of skilled workers, according to CBC. Quebec estimates 1.1 million people will retire between 2013 and 2022 and a recent document published for the Immigration Department said "this situation underscores the need to reassert immigration role and its contribution to Quebec." A 'profound break' between Montreal and Quebec Immigrants, however, are not spread out evenly across the province, and Statistics Canada estimates visible minority groups will represent 31 per cent of Montreal population by 2031 — but no more than five per cent everywhere else in Quebec. The province statistics bureau said the 2015 rate was 1.6 children per woman, down one per cent from 2014 and marking the sixth consecutive year it had edged lower. Université de Montréal demographer Marc Termote said he "very, very worried" about the growing cultural and linguistic divisions between Montreal and other cities. "What happening is a profound break between Montreal and the rest of Quebec," he said. Furthermore, Termote said it a widely publicized myth that increasing immigration will help labour shortages or the economy. "All the studies show immigration creates a neutral benefit to the economy," he said. "And we will need to welcome many, many more people than we do now for it to affect our aging population figures or fix labour shortages." Montreal is having trouble integrating the immigrants it already has, with unemployment rates for those born outside Canada at 11 per cent in the city compared to seven per cent for non-immigrants. New Quebec immigration policy aimed at attracting, retaining foreign talent Quebec refugee sponsor wants processing time decreased Prospective Quebec immigrants 'very frustrated' by online portal crash For example, he explained, there are more immigrants in one of Montreal suburbs, Brossard, than in all of Quebec City, the capital and second-largest city in the province. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

business administration: Cloutier said he received death threats as a result. — Opposes Energy East. —— — Martine Ouellet, 47 — Engineer who holds master degree in business administration from HEC Montreal; worked in several positions at province hydro utility; member of legislature since 2010; natural resources minister, 2012-14. — Promising sovereignty referendum in first mandate; campaign tied primarily to Quebec separating from Canada. — Received criticism from party for calling opponents "provincialist" — a somewhat derogatory term indicating other candidates are happy running a province as opposed to a country. — Wants to force Canada telecom companies to lower Internet rates and suggested her government would nationalize the firms' infrastructure if they don't heed her demands. — Wants to make education free from elementary school to university and says she will increase taxes on banks and dormant capital in order to pay for it. —— — Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, 39 — Lawyer who holds master in business administration from University of Oxford; never elected to office but has indicated he would like to become member of legislature. — Running a distant fourth in the polls, St-Pierre Plamondon has raised profile in the province and among PQ party members; has had least amount of media attention or controversy. — Has largely stayed away from the kind of personal attacks opponents have been levelling against one another. — His slogan refers to giving PQ back to all Quebecers; says Quebec identity should be "contagious and inviting" and that party should be at forefront in welcoming immigrants. — Believes PQ should not hold any referendum in first mandate and says he would modify party charter to state future sovereignty vote would be launched at behest of the population and not the government, according to The Chronicle Herald. Wants mixed-proportional voting system. A look at the four candidates: Alexandre Cloutier, 39 — Lawyer and member of Quebec bar; has master degree in public international law from University of Cambridge; member of legislature since 2007; cabinet minister 2012-14, including spell as Canadian intergovernmental affairs minister. — Seen as moderate nationalist and widely regarded as leadership front-runner despite polls indicating his lead is shrinking. — Refuses to commit to holding sovereignty referendum during first PQ mandate; campaign has focused on increasing investments in education and tightening Quebec language regulations. — Expected to attract younger voters to the party and has collected more support from current PQ members of the legislature than anyone else. — Has come out against Trans Canada Energy East pipeline; pledges to construct electric train between Montreal and Quebec City; wants Quebec to create its own version of the electric car. ——— Jean-Francois Lisee, 58 — Has law degree and master in communications from Universite du Quebec a Montreal; member of legislature since 2012; international relations minister, 2012-14; adviser to Quebec premiers Jacques Parizeau and Lucien Bouchard, 1994-99. — Has promised to not hold sovereignty referendum in first PQ mandate, but says he would like to have one in 2022. — Campaign has focused on immigration and identity issues, drawing ire of opponents and younger voters who see him playing on fears and divisions in society; has argued immigration has not been of great benefit to Quebec and that the province needs to reduce number of immigrants it accepts in order to better integrate them. — Says Quebec needs a "discussion" on banning Islamic burqa; triggered criticism for suggesting controversial Quebec Islamic activist supported Cloutier. Byline, Source Byline, Source Giuseppe Valiante, The Canadian Press Photo: jqb109365410.jpg, Caption: Parti Quebecois leadership candidates Paul St-Pierre-Plamondon, from the left, Jean-Francois Lisee, Alexandre Cloutier and Martine Ouellet join hands at the end of the last debate before the leadership, Monday, October 3, 2016 in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot Photo: jqb109365410.jpg, Caption: Parti Quebecois leadership candidates Paul St-Pierre-Plamondon, from the left, Jean-Francois Lisee, Alexandre Cloutier and Martine Ouellet join hands at the end of the last debate before the leadership, Monday, October 3, 2016 in Quebec City. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

religious symbols: Citing the "obligation to remain independent of religious authority," the draft documents say the government will legislate, for the first time, a firm separation of religion and state and will curtail "religious accommodations." Charter of Quebec values would ban religious symbols for civil servants 'Charter of Quebec values' will unite province, Premier Marois says, according to CBC. Here are five things the charter would do, and five things it would not. Would Bar public sector employees including everyone from civil servants to teachers, provincial court judges, daycare workers, police, health-care personnel, municipal employees and university staff from wearing a hijab, turban, kippa, large visible crucifix or other "ostentatious" religious symbols while on the job. Allow five-year opt-outs from the ban for certain organizations, but not daycare workers or elementary school teachers. Require that those receiving or providing government services uncover their faces. Exempt elected members of the Quebec legislature from the regulations. Amend Quebec's human rights legislation, the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, to specify limits on when someone can stake a claim for religious accommodation. Wouldn't Remove religious symbols and elements considered "emblematic of Quebec's cultural heritage." That includes: the crucifixes in the Quebec legislature and atop Mount Royal in Montreal, the thousands of religiously based geographic names e.g. Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha! and the names of schools and hospitals. Ban public sector employees from wearing small religious symbols like a ring with a Star of David, earrings with the Muslim crescent or a necklace with a small crucifix. Eliminate subsidies to religious private schools. The Quebec government currently funds about 60 per cent of the budgets of most of the province's private schools, including parochial ones. Ban opening prayers at municipal council meetings, which was recommended by the 2008 Bouchard-Taylor Commission report into cultural accommodation. The Quebec Court of Appeal ruled in May that such prayers do not necessarily violate Quebec's current human rights legislation. Eliminate property tax exemptions for churches, mosques, synagogues and other religious buildings. More News coverage: Watch: PQ Minister Bernard Drainville outlines charter of values Listen: Prominent Quebecers debate the politics of a charter of values Your views: Quebec religious symbols ban touches nerve across Canada The Quebec government has released its proposals and rationale for a controversial charter of Quebec values, a key element of the Parti Qu b cois's election platform last fall. But there are several measures the government is not proposing, which has fuelled critics who say the PQ is using the language of inclusiveness and equality to couch an attack on immigrants and non-Catholics. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Quebec Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil: Quebec is preparing for a major reform of its immigration policy, with proposed changes partly inspired by Ottawa, says the province immigration minister. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Weil told The Canadian Press she was ready to launch a "big reform" of relations between new immigrants and Quebec society at-large by the end of the year, a process that will include the revision of Quebec immigration law. Quebec Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil unveils immigration plans and quotas for the coming years Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at the legislature in Quebec City. Quebec is preparing for a major reform of its immigration policy, with proposed changes partly inspired by Ottawa, says the province immigration minister. THE Jacques Boissinot The time has come for Quebec to re-examine its immigration model, and the way the province chooses, welcomes and integrates foreigners into the job market, said Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil ahead of year-long public consultations on the issue set to begin Wednesday at the Quebec legislature. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Leader Tom Mulcair: Quebec Liberals, CAQ attack Parti Quebecoisa economic policies in Quebec campaign, according to Globe and Mail. Campbell Clark Marois has a headstart in Quebec parties race for conservative votes Watch Video: Nik on the Numbers: Explaining the most recent Quebec polling numbers NDP Leader Tom Mulcair says talking about the possibility of a Quebec referendum is pure speculation at this stage. But Mulcair says if there is one, he'll be on the front lines in the fight against Quebec separation. CP Video Watch Video: NDP would fight Quebec referendum, Mulcair says Watch Video: Who is and who isnat talking separatism during the Quebec election Premier Pauline Maroiss favourable electoral prospects, in the campaign that began officially on Wednesday, are bad prospects for Quebec and for Canada. Rather than trying to tackle Quebecs real problems, the Parti Quebecois government, since it came to power in 2012, has occupied itself not only with stirring up familiar language quarrels, but also with trying to invent new conflicts over religion, and what people wear on their heads. Culture war is the PQs new strategy. And it appears to be working. More Related to this Story Polls Parti Quebecois on track for majority: polls (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Quebec Dept: Video: Quebec whistleblower could change election trajectory Quebec Premier Jean Charest speaks at a rally in his riding of Sherbrooke, on July 31, 2012. REUTERS video, according to Globe and Mail. Her campaign platform isn t pretty. Although she s basically a socialist, some of her rhetoric smacks of Europe s anti-immigrant right wing. Let us not yield to the intimidation of those who want to impose values that are not ours, she declared in a campaign ad. She wants immigrants to pass a French test before they run for public office. Originally this restriction was going to apply to people born in Quebec too, until aboriginal groups exploded in protest. She wants to ban the display of all religious dress or symbols except the crucifix by anyone who works for the government. She wants to take away the right of francophone and allophone students to attend English-language junior colleges and skype chat: The big issues in the Quebec election Jacques Duchesneau, leader of the Unite Permanante Anticorruption UPAC , gestures as he testifies during a parliamentary hearing at the National Assembly in Quebec City, Sept. 27, 2011. REUTERS video Video: Quebec election off to heated start (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Quebec Solidaire Dept: Quebec s new premier, Pauline Marois : I hoped for a majority but the people of Quebec decided otherwise. The time for bipartisanship is back and we must learn to work within this context and reality, according to The Star. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair : We can have asymmetrical federalism that takes into account the differences between the regions and the very specific differences between Quebec and the rest of Canada in terms of its civil law, its majority French language, its cultural differences, these are all things that can be worked on. There is nothing divisive about that unless somebody wants to play politics with it and make it divisive. Where the NDP comes in, is we re all about building bridges. We will let the other parties blow up those bridges and the issue: After almost a decade, Jean Charest s Liberal government was ousted in Tuesday s Quebec provincial election. In its place is a minority government led by the Parti Quebecois and Pauline Marois. The PQ won 54 out of 125 seats in the National Assembly, followed by the Liberal Party with 50 seats, Coalition Avenir Quebec CAQ with an unexpected 19 seats and Quebec Solidaire with two seats. But what does a sovereigntist-led Quebec mean for the rest of Canada? Prime Minister Stephen Harper : We don t believe Quebecers want to reopen the old constitutional quarrels of the past. Our government will remain focused on jobs, economic growth and good economic management. We believe economic issues and jobs are also the priority of Quebecers. In that sense, we will continue working with the government of Quebec on those common objectives. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Graham Fraser: According to Reid, Quebec more rural areas are in need of a young, talented work force from other Canadian provinces and English-speaking countries. "We need employees with a lot of competence that we don't always find," Reid said at a symposium, while addressing Graham Fraser, Canada Commissioner of Official Languages, according to CBC. Reid said it was during the Canada Games, held in Sherbrooke two years ago, that he saw the potential of attracting young English speakers to Quebec. "We realized how many Canadians from all over Canada speak rather good in French, and they discovered Quebec — how Quebec is interesting." Reid said that in order to move here, English-speaking immigrants from outside Canada and Quebec would need to know that their children would be able to attend quality English schools. On Tuesday, Orford MNA Pierre Reid asked Canada Commissioner of Official Languages to help him persuade the provincial government to make a push in attracting more anglophone immigrants. Fraser agreed, adding that many Quebec employers say a lack of bilingualism among their workforce is their biggest problem. Fraser also added that the federal government has committed to researching immigration data in English-speaking Quebec. "My recommendation is that they target that research in a way that takes into account the needs of the English-speaking minority," Fraser said, adding that governments need to get away from the idea that English in Quebec belongs only in Montreal. He said the Quebec government should be doing more to welcome and celebrate English communities in the province, and recognize the achievements of anglophones in Quebec. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

QUEBEC - Quebec Premier Pauline Marois: QUEBEC - Quebec Premier Pauline Marois says she is proud of her first year in power even though she admits its been difficult. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. While Marois has been praised for her response to the Lac-Megantic train disaster, her government was initially characterized as improvisational for its many flip-flops and then divisive because of its plans to regulate religious identity. Quebec Premier Pauline Marois walks out of a cabinet meeting Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at the legislature in Quebec City. Marois was elected one year ago on Sept. 4, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot That could be seen as an understatement for someone coming out of a tumultuous 12 months that began with a possible assassination attempt while she was giving her election-night victory speech last Sept. 4. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Quebec charter: It comes down to a question of competing values: freedom of religion on the one hand, a neutral state and freedom from religion on the other, according to CBC. Should the Quebec proposal eventually become law and then get to court, constitutional law professor Daniel Turp says the main legal issue will be whether the limitation is reasonable according to both the Quebec charter, which came into effect in 1976, and the Canadian charter, which came into effect in 1982. Competing values The Quebec government's controversial plan for a new charter of values that separates church and state threatens to suck the province into a legal maelstrom. The Parti Qu b cois government is proposing "to entrench the religious neutrality of the state and the secular nature of public institutions" in Quebec's Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. That neutrality principle is not part of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Read about 5 things Quebec's values charter would do, and 5 it wouldn't Read a Q A with philosopher Jocelyn Maclure about Quebec's religious symbols debate (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.