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“We prefer to focus on what we call interculturality, where we have a culture, the culture of Quebec, and we try to integrate newcomers,” the prime minister says.
Author of the article:
Jason Magder • Montreal Gazette
Date of publication:
June 23, 2022 • 1 hour ago • 1 minute reading • 6 comments Prime Minister François Legault in Montreal on Thursday, June 23, 2022. Photo by Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press
Content of the article
Prior to the Fête Nationale celebrations, Prime Minister François Legault said he was against the idea of multiculturalism, saying it was a threat to the French language and culture in Quebec.
Content of the article
“It is important that we do not put all cultures on the same level; that’s why we oppose multiculturalism, “Legault told reporters on Thursday. “We prefer to focus on what we call interculturality, where we have a culture, the culture of Quebec, and we try to integrate newcomers. I think that the new people who come to Quebec contribute to our culture, but it is important to have a culture where we integrate, especially in our language ”.
Legault, who has called for new powers in Ottawa over the selection of certain immigrants, said his view of integration is different from that of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In his view, Quebec culture rises above the cultures of immigrants and other minorities.
“We see that Mr. Trudeau is driving multiculturalism, so he doesn’t want us to have a culture and a language where we integrate newcomers,” Legault said. “It’s important that our nation and our culture are respected and that we try to integrate new immigrants into that culture.”
Legault’s comments came after a speech in France by Simon Jolin-Barrette, Quebec’s French-speaking minister, who said the nation-building project and the protection of the French language is threatened by multiculturalism .
Legault was in Montreal to announce the conversion of the historic Bibliothèque St-Sulpice.
jmagder@postmedia.com
twitter.com/jasonmagder
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Legault expects a “strong mandate” in the election to put pressure on Ottawa over immigration
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The Montreal National Day show is open to everyone, but in French, please