A Century of Immigration in Quebec: from fear to openness

1. A Century of Immigration in Quebec: from fear to openness Sylvie Fortin Groupe de Recherche Ethnicit� et Soci�t� / Diversit� urbaine, Universit� de Montr�al and Victor Pich� CIED Centre Interuniversitaire d��tudes D�mographiques, Groupe de recherche ethnicit� et soci�t� / Diversit� urbaine, Universit� de Montr�al

2. Presentation Outline Two perspectives: 20th century Immigration to Quebec in retrospect Immigration levels Immigrant national profiles Reasons behind migratory movements II. Contemporary issues of urban pluralism A range of insertion � integration patterns Feelings of belonging to the local society Montreal�s diversity

3. Migratory flows: a brief look back In Canada : Imperial and colonial context of the 20th century promotes an influx of British migrants Until 1850, Canada serves mainly as a stopover on the way to the United States The British dominate the field of immigration and alone create regulations to control it In Quebec: Immigrants arrive mainly from Ireland and Scotland In 1871, the British comprise 20% of the population, and other non French-speaking groups 1.6% Political conflicts based on a duality �ethnicity � language� dominate debates on immigration for several decades

4. Canada/Quebec immigration totals

5. Two major immigration regulatory schemes Immigration regulatory schemes are characterized by sets of rules that define both needs and selection criteria I. 1900-1949: Fluctuating labour requirements Policy of ethnic group preference II. 1950-2000: Immigration policies shift from ethnic group preferences to criteria related to professional qualifications Importance of the introduction of an integration policy to manage pluralism Quebec�s role in these two regulatory schemes : 1st regulatory scheme: not much involvement; Quebec does not support immigration 2nd regulatory scheme: involved in setting levels and eventually in the selection process; establishment of an integration policy

6. 1900-1950: Racist and assimilationist immigration regulatory scheme From 1900-1920: Period of heavy immigration Immigration: a threat to the English-French ethnic balance in Canada Reduction of the British group in Quebec and increase of the group �other� While maintaining a British character, the English-French consensus that dominated the 19th century political and cultural landscape diminished

7. 1900-1950: Racist and assimilationist immigration regulatory scheme From 1921-1930: Immigration levels decreased Economy slows following World War I Anti-immigration reactions From 1931-1950: Immigration halted for about 15 years Nativist trend maintained by the economic crisis and World War II Immigration black-out (for Jews and the Japonese)

8. 1950-2000: Selective and pluralistic immigration regulatory scheme From 1950-1975: Immigration picks up after the war Ups and downs following periods of economic recession and recovery Gradual setting up of a new point system From 1975-1985: Immigration decreases Institution of Quebec�s new immigration policy in 1976 (immigrant categories: independent, family, refugees) Quebec very involved in immigration and intervention From 1985-2000: Heavy immigration Debates on citizenship, multi-ethnicity and transnationality in the context of globalization

9. Diversification of migrants� points of origin

10.

11. Integration Set of dimensions: Identificatory and social Economic and political Presented linearly and aimed towards the adoption of majority group norms and values Proposal for a definition: A multifacetted process involving economic, material, relational, and symbolic dimensions A process that focuses on the dynamics of the �receiving� society

12. Experiences of inclusion Migrants from France are �good migrants� with an enviable human capital in the Quebec context: Age at arrival Linguistic competence Education level Professional experience Socio-demographic profiles: Income and education levels on the whole superior to the national average 70% have completed university Almost 60% own their home 40% chose to register their children in private schools All work in their field (mainstream market)

13. A diversity of insertion patterns Algerian immigrants ? membership in the formal economy less secure Many educated immigrants do not find work here. The situation is �serious�. In spite of what is happening in Algeria, I would not want to invite my friends from Algiers to come here because if they have a good job there, they could not find the equivalent here� - Jida, born in Algeria, in Montreal for 7 years

14. Experiences of exclusion Non-insertion in the job market Social exclusion Immigrants of Lebanese origin (educated and French speaking): Lack symbolic resources for inclusion in the local society Economic insertion difficult Almost systematic professional declassing

15. Feelings of belonging to the local society The place of residence is experienced in ways that go beyond the dynamics of the local society I am convinced, by the number of years I�ve spent here, by the human relations, where I go, by the work environement, I consider myself integrated and that people accept me� especially in the work environement. For example, not too long ago, the manager (�..) came to welcome me. Before I left as well, he came to see me and wish me a good holiday. Frankly, that warms the heart, I give myself 100% and I feel integrated. People want me and I want them. - Jida, Algerian

16. Montreal, pluralistic city For many immigrants, Montreal stands as their first reference: Montreal is an open city, more cosmopolitan (that an other city where we lived) (My husband) Joseph, professionally, was a bit fed up, it was hard to be the immigrant on call. Here, in Montreal, we get lost in the crowd and there is always a place where you can feel at ease. - Paule, Franco-French woman, in Montreal for 10 years

17. Montreal�s diversity and urban belonging Montreal represents a bridge, a link between a real or imagined pluralistic Canada and a monolithic Quebec: I have no relation with Quebec. When I leave Montreal or I go to a small regional town, I feel like a stranger. I look like I�m from the south, I speak international French � as we say � I feel like something weird. As much as we are part of the landscape in Montreal because the landscape is diverse, there I feel dissonant. I have little relation to Quebec, with the exception of Montreal, in spite of having the desire to discover it� - Guy, Franco-Tunisian, in Montreal for 11 years.

18. Membership in the local society Social receptivity of the local society ? total involvement in migrants� settlement and insertion process. In Montreal, when you listen to the radio, to TV, you feel an opening to others. Blacks, Arabs, Muslims � all have the right to exist. All act like they hear. In fact, you hear Polish, Portuguese spoke � the differences are even valorized. � - Nadia, Algerian migrant, in Montreal for 6 years.