Quebec is a province that has a rich history and heritage. It has been an exceptional case in Canadian immigration.
Quebec has more influence over immigration than any other province, thanks to its unique selection criteria and programs.
The Francophone province nearly voted to be an independent country in Canada in 1995. Only 0.58% of the votes were enough to make Canada the winning state. Important to remember is that Quebec’s current power over immigration was shaped by the same drivers that drove the 1995 referendum. These are forces deeply rooted in Quebec’s culture and history.
Quebec’s cultural and historical background is distinct, more than the history of English Canada. The French diplomat Samuel de Champlain, an explorer and diplomat from France, established Quebec in 1608, more than 250 years before the Confederation of Canadian Dominion. He claimed the province as part of New France. This territory was French and covered much of Canada’s east coast.
He did this on an abandoned Iroquoian settlement called Stadacona. Iroquoian tribes directed him there using their native word for village, “kanata”, which is where the name Canada originated.
De Champlain, widely regarded as the father and founder of New France, would continue to be the administrator of New France until his passing in 1635. After the Seven Year’s War ended, France signed the Treaty of Paris in 1763. This would cede New France to the British. This friction would set the stage for today’s emphasis on Francophone culture.
Quebec was different from Canada in many ways, including its history, culture, and population. The British colonized it to great effect. Quebec would be the capital of the English Province of Canada, which was divided into Quebec and Ontario today. It would then become part of the larger Dominion of Canada in 1867.
The integration of Quebec into Canada was not as seamless as that of English Canada. However, Quebecois retained much of the language and customs as well as the legal frameworks and religions brought over from France.
The 1960s saw rapid and intense changes in Quebec. This period is commonly known as the “quiet revolution”. In 1961 Quebec sought to establish democratic ties with France, the UK, and the United States -however, the federal government intervened–asserting there could only be “one interlocutor” with foreign countries.
This event would spark debate about the role of Quebec and French Canadians within the Confederation. These cultural forces and a shift in Canada’s immigration policy, which was based on individual applicants’ work skills, language ability, and family connections, led to the creation in 1968 of Quebec’s first immigration minister.
The Constitution Act of 1867 states that immigration is a special power, and can be controlled at both the provincial and federal levels. However, Quebec has today more control over immigration than any other province.
Quebec’s creation of an immigration ministry was a signal that it believed controlling immigration to Quebec was a major issue. This was not only for economic reasons but also to protect the Francophone language and culture. Quebec would then recruit Francophones from all over the globe during this time.
Between 1971 and 1991, Quebec would continue to renegotiate the provincial authority it had over immigration. This resulted in four pieces of legislation that would define the province’s power:
The 1971 Lang-Cloutier Agreement was the first piece Canada-Quebec immigration legislation. It allowed Quebec to have Canadian representatives in Canadian embassies and provided for international immigration counseling.
The 1975 Andras–Bienvenue Agreement gave Quebec an opportunity to participate in the selection of immigrants. It allowed the province to conduct interviews as well as make recommendations to visa officers. This was a significant milestone for Quebec, since the legislation made it mandatory that the federal government consider Quebec’s opinions for any new immigration request to the territory.
1978’s Cullen–Couture agreement gave the same rights to temporary immigrants, defining their selection criteria and giving the province more control over immigration to its borders.
1991’s Gagnon-Tremblay-McDougall agreement–also known as the Quebec-Canada Accord–represented the biggest triumph for Quebec immigration in the province’s history. This legislation allowed the province to select immigrants, especially economic ones, and integrate these people into the province.
