That answers my question.
I'd like to talk to you about multiculturalism, which is raised in your report.
As you know, for a long time now Quebec has used a different approach with respect to integrating newcomers. We talk about interculturalism. It is an approach that is widely supported in Quebec.
Multiculturalism Canadian- style was rejected from the very outset by Robert Bourrassa, who was a Liberal. It was also rejected by the other political parties in the National Assembly.
Even one of the NDP figureheads in Quebec, Julius Grey, stated that this model was not applicable in Quebec. We want to be able to advocate a more proactive approach to integration, based on the idea that we're all Quebeckers without exception, whether we arrived two years ago or whether our ancestors arrived two centuries ago.
This approach is always somewhat contradicted by another message that immigrants are given. In Quebec, they're told that the goal is interculturalism, that there is proactive integration into Quebec society and that they contribute to Quebec society.
On the other hand, the federal government sends a message about multiculturalism that emphasizes differences, and cohabitation that is defined by respect for each other. This message can even be found on the department's websites and its promotional material. There is a clash.
Your remarks do however indicate an interesting reconciliation. You talk more about integration than highlighting distinctions. Nonetheless the two approaches still are different.
The Bloc Québécois tabled a bill that would have removed Quebec from the Canadian multiculturalism message so that immigrants choosing Quebec would receive one straightforward message rather than two contradictory messages.
Would the government be willing, in the next session, to support such a bill, that would give the Quebec government the right to craft its own policy to integrate immigrants, especially given that most of the responsibilities required for integration already fall under the Quebec government's jurisdiction?