Paul St-Pierre Plamondon links immigration to the decline in births

Photo: Jacques Boissinot The Canadian Press With figures in hand, he strongly criticized the “radical” increase in the number of immigrants in Quebec.

There is a link between mass immigration and the decline in the birth rate among Quebecers, according to PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who presented a detailed plan Monday to reduce the number of newcomers wanting to settle in Quebec.

Flanked by MP Pascal Paradis and Parti Québécois (PQ) spokespersons Méganne Perry Mélançon, Stephan Fogaing and Stéphane Handfield, the leader of the sovereignist party released his roadmap in the morning to “substantially” reduce the number of immigrants residing in Quebec.

Figures in hand, he sharply criticized the “radical” increase in the number of immigrants in Quebec, which, in addition to cutting into the supply of services and housing, has even led some young parents to abandon their family plans, according to him.

“One of the determining factors for [the decline in] the birth rate… In fact, there are two: housing — clearly, if there is no housing, it has an impact on the decision to have children or not — and the level of service,” Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon said in response to questions from a journalist on Monday.

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“Look at the hell that a large number of parents have experienced in finding places in private daycares, approved, non-approved, in CPEs. This has a very big impact on the decision whether or not to have another child. I know, I’ve experienced it,” continued the father of three.

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In its migration plan, entitled “A Quebec Free to Choose: For a Viable Immigration Model,” the PQ proposes to reduce the number of temporary immigrants by at least half. The goal is to reach a range of 250,000 to 300,000 people by the end of a possible first mandate. “PSPP” also commits to reducing the annual admission thresholds for permanent immigrants to 35,000, well below current totals.

According to Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon, a reduction of this order is necessary to “resolve crises that have a negative impact on the birth rate.”

“It’s related. Because if our immigration thresholds are too high, if there is no housing, housing is very expensive, people are suffocated in terms of paying their mortgage and rent, will they make the decision to have a child or one more child ?” wondered the member for Camille-Laurin, Monday.

According to a demographic update published earlier this month by the Institut de la statistique du Québec, the number of deaths will exceed the number of births in Quebec around 2027. At that point, if the trend continues, Quebec’s population growth will be driven solely by immigration.

In its latest immigration planning document, Quebec planned to welcome around 63,000 permanent immigrants this year. Added to that is a total of almost 600,000 non-permanent residents currently housed in Quebec territory.

More details to follow.