Official Languages Committee on June 16th, 2023

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Forgive me for interrupting you, Ms. Chouinard, but my time is limited and I have more questions for you. Thank you.

In your statement you talked about the competition that exists between Canadian and Quebec embassies when Quebec takes steps. Can you tell us a little more about that?

[Marie-Josée Chouinard]

As part of our international initiatives, mainly in francophone and francophile countries, we sometimes notice that there is a lack of complementarity in the discourse of Canadian embassies. It would be better to talk about both Quebec and Canada, which have their own respective fields of expertise, of course, but in a complementary way. We need a line of communication that will help candidates better understand what we're talking about. Candidates don't always understand what's offered in Quebec and what's offered in French-speaking communities outside Quebec. It would therefore be in Canada's interest to encourage initiatives that are complementary or that don't take place at the same time.

We can already see that global competition is very fierce when it comes to attracting talent. So we need to pull together to attract more people to Canada, whether in Quebec or in francophone communities outside Quebec.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

I don't want to put words in your mouth, but would you dare say that Canadian embassies work for francophones outside Quebec and that Quebec must work alone?

[Marie-Josée Chouinard]

In fact, it's the Canada-Quebec Accord Relating to Immigration and Temporary Admission of Aliens that gives Quebec the mandate to select immigrants. So it's completely legitimate and standardized.

That said, I'm not here to take away everyone's areas of jurisdiction. Rather, it's to say that we can act strategically, hand in hand, quite simply.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Thank you, Ms. Chouinard. Indeed, I think we need to work in partnership.

You have to deal with companies on a daily basis. If you had a magic wand and could tell us, the legislators, what to do on the ground, concretely, to improve the efficiency and pragmatic side of francophone immigration, what would it be? What should we write into the laws?

[Marie-Josée Chouinard]

First, it would be to ensure more efficient processing of entry visa applications. It's really on the federal side that things need to improve.

The focus needs to be on French-speaking basins. In the context of today's study, that's really where efforts need to be made. I've named certain countries, but there are things that need to be improved there. Processing times are abnormally long, if Canada compares itself to other non-French-speaking countries, and there's no reason why that should be the case.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Thank you, Ms. Chouinard.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Ms. Chouinard.

Thank you, Mr. Godin. I stretched out your time a little.

Mr. Iacono, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Good morning, everyone.

I thank the witnesses for being with us this morning.

My first question is for the representative from Québec International.

Ms. Chouinard, what are the most effective measures for attracting French-speaking immigrants to Quebec companies?

Could you share with us the difficulties and gaps that exist?

[Marie-Josée Chouinard]

What helps companies recruiting internationally is offering them support before, during and after recruitment. They need to be able to ask their questions, especially when it comes to identifying talent in line with their workforce needs. They also need to be accompanied through the immigration process and supported when people arrive in the Quebec City region.

Among the hindrances are the many regulatory changes that are made to immigration, as the immigration picture evolves, of course. For Quebec, this is all the more complex as reforms can vary from province to province. Companies therefore need even more support. There is a need to ensure closer alignment of administrative procedures specific to both levels of government.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you.

You said the company should receive greater support. Who should take on this responsibility?

[Marie-Josée Chouinard]

I think there need to be interveners in the field.

Québec International's mandate is given to it by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, and we're already seeing significant gains. We are able to deploy training, coaching and consulting programs. We are also able to surround ourselves with expert consultants. As an economic development agency, we have very close ties with employers. We're also a not-for-profit organization, which gives people confidence. I think we need to work with players on the ground, who are able to publicize both federal and provincial administrative procedures, not just those of one of the two parties.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you.

My next question is for representatives of the Centre francophone du Grand Toronto.

Concerning the arrival of francophone immigrants in official language minority communities, what are the greatest barriers or challenges these immigrants face in living in and participating in society?

[Madam Aissa Nauthoo, Vice-President, Centre francophone du grand Toronto]

Thank you.

I'll answer the question, because I think Ms. Ngenzebuhoro is no longer online.

[Florence Ngenzebuhoro]

My Internet access is very slow.

Thank you for the question, but I'll let Ms. Nauthoo answer it.

[Madam Aissa Nauthoo]

Thank you, Ms. Ngenzebuhoro.

With regard to the needs of newcomers, I'll give some examples we've experienced in the field, as a provider of French-language services to newcomers in the Greater Toronto Area, for example.

We've noticed that the majority of French-speaking newcomers who are welcomed at Pearson Airport choose Toronto as their destination city to settle in. As we know, there is a housing crisis in Toronto, which is the same across the country. It's important to spread the word about the reality of the housing market.

When it comes to pre-departure services, the French-speaking African immigrants, in particular, that we welcome at the airport don't necessarily have all the information about the housing and job markets. As for economic integration, here in Toronto it's very difficult. It's not easy to live in a city like Toronto, if you...

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Madam Nauthoo, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I don't have much speaking time left.

One of the barriers is the question of housing. Can you mention any other criteria? That would give us a better idea of the barriers and challenges immigrants face.

I don't want you to give us too many details in this regard, but it's very important to know them. Afterwards, other people will analyze them in greater depth.

[Madam Aissa Nauthoo]

The obstacles they face include language problems. Many are highly qualified and speak French, but they don't master English well enough to function in both languages, for example in their work environment. There are also problems related to access to information when it comes to enrolling their children in a French-language school.

As I've already said, there's a problem in connection with housing. Many people who arrive in Canada have to stay in Airbnb accommodation, but they end up depleting their savings and find themselves without income and employment. What we've found, on the ground, is that there's not enough information about everything to do with settling in Canada.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

That's perfect, thank you very much.

Mr. Chair, do I have a little more time?

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

You have 15 seconds left, my friend.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

My next question is for the representative of the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine.

Mr. Laberge, express entry is an application process for skilled immigrants, and this system is dedicated to immigration outside Quebec.

Can you tell me about the impact, on the ground, of this program?

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

That's an excellent question, Mr. Iacono. Perhaps Mr. Laberge will have a chance to answer it later. I must divide the speaking time fairly among all members.

We will now begin the second round of questions.

Mr. Beaulieu, second vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, has the floor for six minutes.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Ms. Chouinard, you talked about competition with the federal government when it comes to recruiting French-speaking immigrants from outside Quebec.

Questions have already been put to the IRCC representatives who came to testify before our committee. They seemed to say that they had no mandate to help Quebec in any way, but that they are open to discussion.

In your opinion, have there ever been any meetings or any form of coordination in order to avoid mutual harm in terms of recruitment?

[Marie-Josée Chouinard]

It is very difficult for me to speak to this. I'm not part of the government apparatus. However, in the field, I have seen initiatives where we would have benefited from talking to each other more.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Temporary immigration is taking up more and more space. I don't know if you deal with temporary immigration. We know that there are problems between the federal government and the Quebec government in this area too. For example, to become a permanent resident, you have to pay the Quebec government. Then you have to pay twice as much after filling out the federal government forms.

Have you had any experiences in this regard?