Coalition government would expel immigrants who fail to learn French in 3 years
MONTREAL — The perennially divisive topic of language politics surfaced on the Quebec campaign trail Friday as the leader of the Coalition Avenir Quebec promised his government would force new immigrants to leave the province if they don’t learn French within three years.
After two weeks of campaigning nearly devoid of language talk, the issue jumped into the spotlight on Day 16 as party leaders responded to Francois Legault’s proposals with differing visions on how best to integrate immigrants into French-speaking Quebec.
Speaking early Friday, Legault said new immigrants would be given a temporary permit upon entry and then have three years to take free language courses and pass a basic French-language test.
Those who fail would not be granted permission to stay and would be considered to be in the country illegally, he said.