Quebec has announced a robust $603-million, five-year plan to safeguard and enhance the French language within the province, introducing a strategy with 21 key measures aimed at countering the language’s perceived decline. Jean-François Roberge, the Minister responsible for the French language, unveiled the plan in Montreal, emphasizing a shift from defensive tactics to a proactive approach designed to reclaim the linguistic landscape and bolster French usage.
The strategy’s comprehensive measures focus significantly on immigration, with plans to increase the proportion of French-speaking economic immigrants and expedite the process for international students in francophone programs to obtain permanent residency. The initiative also aims to enhance the French cultural presence and improve French language mastery among students.
Key financial commitments include a significant increase in tuition for out-of-province Canadian students, alongside requirements for French proficiency upon graduation. There will also be stricter French-language requirements for temporary workers and permanent economic immigrants.
The plan allocates $320 million towards programs ensuring that temporary international workers can speak and learn French, and another $64.9 million will support educational initiatives to boost students’ French skills. An additional $187.3 million is earmarked for expanding Francophone cultural offerings, enhancing accessibility to Quebec cultural productions.
Furthermore, $18 million will be dedicated to collaborating with Quebec’s statistics agency to publish regular data on language trends within the province. Another $12.8 million is set aside for campaigns to strengthen Quebecers’ attachment to French, including initiatives in French-language scientific publications.
This strategic plan, unveiled in a challenging budgetary climate, highlights the Quebec government’s dedication to revitalizing French usage amid growing concerns over the influx of non-French-speaking immigrants and the influence of English-dominant digital platforms and educational institutions. The initiative represents a significant governmental commitment to not only preserving but actively promoting the French language in Quebec.