Multiculturalism Act Exempted in Quebec

Summary#

This bill would amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act so it does not apply in Quebec. The preamble states that Quebecers form a nation and have the tools to define their identity and protect shared values like the French language, state secularism, and gender equality (Preamble). The operative clause adds a one-line exemption: “This Act does not apply in Quebec” (Bill, after s.2).

• Federal multiculturalism policy and duties would no longer apply “in Quebec” (Bill, after s.2).
• Federal institutions operating in Quebec would not be bound by the Act’s requirements in Quebec; no change elsewhere in Canada (Bill, after s.2).
• Community groups in Quebec that rely on federal multiculturalism authorities may see program rules or funding authority change; details are not in the bill (Data unavailable).
• The bill does not change other federal laws, the Charter, or Quebec laws; it only amends the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (Bill, title and clause).
• Would take effect when it becomes law (no delayed coming-into-force clause in the bill).

What it means for you#

• Households in Quebec:

  • Federal services delivered in Quebec would no longer follow the Canadian Multiculturalism Act’s policy framework in Quebec once in force (Bill, after s.2).
  • Other rights and laws remain unchanged because the bill only amends the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (Bill, title and clause).

• Community and cultural organizations in Quebec:

  • Federal multiculturalism program activities that rely on the Act as legal authority may be changed, replaced, or ended in Quebec after the bill takes effect. The bill does not specify which programs or timelines (Data unavailable; Bill, after s.2).
  • You may need to rely more on Quebec programs or other federal authorities if departments shift their legal basis for grants or services (Data unavailable).

• Federal employees and institutions in Quebec:

  • You would no longer have statutory duties under the Canadian Multiculturalism Act for activities “in Quebec,” such as implementing the federal multiculturalism policy framework there (Bill, after s.2; Canadian Multiculturalism Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. 24 (4th Supp.), policy and implementation provisions).
  • Internal policies, training, outreach, and reporting tied to the Act may be revised for Quebec operations. The bill gives no transition rules or guidance (Data unavailable).

• Quebec provincial government:

  • The exemption would remove the federal multiculturalism statute from applying in Quebec, aligning with the preamble’s view that Quebec defines its own approach to language and secularism (Preamble; Bill, after s.2).
  • Any federal–provincial collaboration on diversity or integration would need bases other than the Canadian Multiculturalism Act in Quebec (Data unavailable).

• Residents outside Quebec:

  • No change. The Canadian Multiculturalism Act would continue to apply in all other provinces and territories (Bill, after s.2).

• Timing:

  • Effect starts on Royal Assent, since the bill has no delayed coming-into-force clause (Bill, text contains no such clause).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• The bill contains no appropriations, new taxes, or fees; it is a one-line exemption (Bill, after s.2).
• No federal fiscal note identified. Potential changes to federal multiculturalism spending in Quebec are not specified (Data unavailable).
• Administrative adjustments for federal institutions operating in Quebec are possible; no estimates provided (Data unavailable).

Proponents' View#

• Respects Quebec’s nation status and its capacity to define identity, protect French, uphold state secularism, and ensure gender equality, without a federal multiculturalism statute applying in Quebec (Preamble).
• Avoids policy overlap by removing the federal multiculturalism framework “in Quebec,” letting Quebec’s own frameworks lead there (Bill, after s.2).
• Clarifies that federal institutions need not implement the Canadian Multiculturalism Act in Quebec, reducing duplication with Quebec’s policy model (Bill, after s.2).
• Keeps the Act fully in force elsewhere, preserving the existing federal approach in other provinces and territories (Bill, after s.2).

Opponents' View#

• Could reduce or end federal multiculturalism-driven supports in Quebec by removing the Act’s framework there, affecting community groups and newcomers that relied on it (Bill, after s.2; impact scale: Data unavailable).
• Creates uneven federal obligations across Canada, which may lead to inconsistent service standards and confusion for clients and staff when programs operate both inside and outside Quebec (Bill, after s.2).
• Provides no transition plan or guidance for ongoing grants, reporting, or outreach, raising implementation risks for federal departments and funded organizations (Bill is silent on transition).
• May weaken federal capacity to promote and report on multiculturalism outcomes in Quebec because statutory duties would no longer apply there (Canadian Multiculturalism Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. 24 (4th Supp.), policy and implementation provisions; Bill, after s.2).