Publications

Summary

Canada prides itself on being an international exemplar when it comes to welcoming landed immigrants. There is no doubt that the country is a pioneer in its immigration and integration policies and practices. However, particular attention should be paid to the discrimination, systemic racism, and exclusion that often have been described in several provinces, including Quebec, with respect to immigrants. Moreover, the social conflicts observed in Quebec society lead us to question certain ideological postulates and to discuss practices to ensure better social acceptance of cultural diversity and the creation of a common culture. 

This is the societal background for the reflections set out in this chapter, divided into four parts. The first part presents literature highlighting the barriers to social and professional integration experienced by immigrants to Quebec. The second part examines the social debates currently under way in the province, which crystallize the conflicts and social fractures that divide the host society and immigrants. In the third part, we examine interculturalism, the model for immigration and integration applied in Quebec, and its potential role in the social problems observed. The argument is that it is not in tune with the diverse cultural composition of Quebec’s population today. At the same time, it does not express concrete practices by which newcomers can adhere to the dominant culture. In the fourth part, we offer an optimistic vision for the future with a plea for urgent intercultural mediation to reconcile Quebec’s culturally diverse society.