Bill C-245

An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec)

Sponsor

Xavier Barsalou-Duval Bloc

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Defeated, as of Feb. 4, 2026

Subscribe to a feed (what's a feed?) of speeches and votes in the House related to Bill C-245.

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends the Canadian Multiculturalism Act to provide that it does not apply in Quebec.

Similar bills

C-226 (43rd Parliament, 2nd session) An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec)

C-226 (43rd Parliament, 1st session) An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec)

C-393 (42nd Parliament, 1st session) An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec)

C-553 (41st Parliament, 2nd session) An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec)

C-505 (39th Parliament, 2nd session) An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec)

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-245s:

C-245 (2022) An Act to amend the Canada Infrastructure Bank Act

C-245 (2020) National Freshwater Strategy Act

C-245 (2016) Poverty Reduction Act

Votes

Feb. 4, 2026 Failed 2nd reading of Bill C-245, An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec)

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-245 seeks to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act to exclude Quebec, allowing the province to apply its own integration model and prioritize its distinct culture.

Bloc

Exempt Quebec from multiculturalism: The Bloc Québécois proposes Bill C-245 to exempt Quebec from the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, allowing Quebec to implement its distinct integration model, affirmed by recent provincial legislation.
Canadian multiculturalism is harmful: Canadian multiculturalism is seen as a "policy of disintegration" that denies Quebec's nationhood, promotes community isolation, freezes identities, and creates confusion for newcomers by failing to foster a common culture.
Quebec's intercultural integration: Quebec's model, interculturalism, aims for newcomers to become full members of the Quebec nation, embracing a common culture enriched by diverse contributions, learning French, and respecting shared values.

Conservative

Upholds traditional multiculturalism: The party champions a multiculturalism based on equality of opportunity, where all Canadians, regardless of origin, contribute to the nation's wealth and are equally valued.
Condemns liberal "postnational" policies: The party criticizes the Liberal government's "postnational" approach and "wokeism," which they believe erodes Canadian identity, history, and symbols.
Affirms Quebec's nationhood: The party affirms Quebec's recognition as a nation within a united Canada, stressing that this pride is compatible with Canada's multicultural reality.
Promotes Canadian identity and heritage: The party advocates for proudly celebrating Canada's heritage, identity, and opportunities, believing this allows all Canadians to achieve their full potential.

Liberal

Opposes bill as a mistake: The Liberal party opposes Bill C-245, stating it is a mistake for both Quebec and Canada, weakening Quebec's voice and tarnishing Canada's inclusive image.
Multiculturalism supports Quebec identity: The party believes Canadian multiculturalism complements Quebec's distinct identity and French language, rather than threatening it, allowing Quebeckers to be proud of multiple identities.
Bill creates division, no real benefit: The bill would create two classes of citizenship and cause confusion without genuinely strengthening French or Quebec culture, as Quebec already has tools for integration.

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