Is French your main language? Quebec needs you

Canada, 31st August: Having French as your main language could increase your chances of immigration to Quebec many times soon.

This is due to imminent changes going to be introduced to Quebec immigration rules shortly.

Quebec to favor people knowing French—As per the Partiy Quebecois. Quebec will start giving preference to those whose main language is French. Unveiling its plans, Jean Fancois Lisee, a Rosemont candidate stated that Quebec is facing shortage of people whose speak French as their main language.

And this is being seen as a threat to French language, admits Lisee.

As per the figures revealed by the Office quebecois de la langue francaise, the number of people speaking French in Quebec may fall to nearly 47 percent in the coming two decades.

As per the figures for 2006, the percentage of French speaking people slipped to 54 percent from 61 percent in 1971. This is endangering the future of French, adds Lisee.

Immigrants wanting to come to Quebec will have to answer a question about the language used by them in daily routine and French must be their mother tongue, Lisee clarified.

New Quebec immigration criteria— More points to people whose mother tongue is French—Plans of the PQ are to offer higher points to those whose mother tongue is French.

Giving details about the new plans for Quebec immigration criteria, Lisee said all measures will be taken to safeguard the future of French language in Quebec. Only such a step can help in saving French from getting marginalized in metropolis, he further affirmed.

Immigration applications to include a question on language-- Current rules for immigration to Quebec give equal preference to immigrants hailing from China but possess ability to speak French. But, new rules will give priority to those who not only speak French but live in French.

This will help in reversing the declining trend of French language in Montreal, Lisee maintained. In the past couple of years, French language has declined significantly and the responsibility is on the vague immigration norms of Quebec.

Restrict outflow of young families--Another part of the immigration change will be to restrict flow of young people wanting to leave Montreal with their families, he stated. An action plan will help in helping the young families continue staying in Montreal.

This will be done by increasing affordable housing and funding decontaminating costs partially.