The controversial statements of Minister Jean Boulet on immigration led groups to call for demonstrations on Sunday to demand that the parties commit themselves in favor of immigrants.
• Read also: Legault’s blessing
• Read also: The CAQ slows down its descent
The organizations “Standing up for Dignity” and “Le Québec c’est nous aussi” demand that the next government commit itself “to a Quebec without discrimination vis-à-vis immigration”. The organizations demand, among other things, “the withdrawal of candidates for provincial elections who share misinformation in order to promote fear of immigration in Quebec”.
“This request, we make it a little because of the comments of the outgoing Minister of Immigration, [Jean Boulet]. However, we do not want to be partisan, so it is addressed to all candidates who would make such remarks, regardless of their party”, explained to the QMI Agency Claire Launay, president of the organization “Le Québec it’s us too”.
Remember that Mr. Boulet caused an outcry by stating that “80% of immigrants go to Montreal, do not work, do not speak French or do not adhere to the values of Quebec society”. Remarks which led its leader, François Legault, to say that Jean Boulet was “disqualified” as Minister of Immigration.
On the eve of the provincial election and after several speeches on immigration, the organizing organizations are calling for more rights for immigrants as well as a major commitment on the part of candidates and the next government in favor of a non- – discrimination against immigrants.
Thus, the demonstrators are also demanding the recognition of systemic racism by the next government, in addition to the regularization of people without status and with precarious status.
The demonstration is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m., at 770 Sherbrooke West.
“The only ways we talk about immigration during this campaign is in terms of a threat to Quebec, and often with the help of erroneous data that creates fear among the electorate. Immigrants are scrambling to find their place here; it is therefore sad to see that we are used as political pawns by the parties, ”said Claire Launay in a press release.
Several personalities responded to the call, including Émile Bilodeau and Renzel Dashington.