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Montreal Gazette
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
Drimonis: Devenir Keb puts human face on immigrant experience
I've written two books and countless columns on migration and the politics of 'belonging' — and I still sometimes feel like I'll never fully understand the complex, challenging, sometimes lonely and almost always deeply hopeful process of leaving everything you know behind for the promise of something better. Immigration isn't and never has been one size fits all. One's integration can vary considerably based on individual motives, personality, expectations, tolerance for change, ease of language acquisition, ties to motherland and ability to adapt to a new reality. How newcomers are perceived and welcomed by their new society and how quickly they're given essential integration tools (think francization in Quebec!) also are key in their successful immigration. Immigrants are not a monolith. They're unique human beings who shouldn't be expected to seamlessly fit into clichéd or antiquated notions of what makes a Quebecer or Canadian or how they're expected to behave, talk, look or think. Neither are immigrants all that different from the rest of the population. We all pretty much want the same things: peace, prosperity, opportunity, a better life for oneself and loved ones. Those currently being welcomed into the fold will influence and continue to shape Quebec's ever-evolving society, and they, in turn, will be influenced by everything that embraces them. Done right, immigration is a culturally enriching and mutually beneficial exchange. Which brings us to a new French-language docu-series that broaches the topic of Quebec immigration. Created, directed and hosted by real-life partners Noémi Mercier and Philippe Desrosiers, Devenir Keb (Becoming a Quebecer) explores the topic of Quebec identity by giving immigrants the mic — and a voice. We meet Naoufel, a teacher from Tunisia; Rosa, a single mom and dentist from Cuba; Stella, a nurse from Cameroon; the Kachiche family from Lebanon; and many more. All six episodes focus on economic and humanitarian immigration and are primarily stories of resilience, with each respective title focusing on an integration stage and the challenges that come with it: Arrive. Speak. Work. Heal. Grow. Put down roots. What I appreciate most about the series is how it profoundly humanizes immigration for those who may not have a first-person experience of it. It also serves as an important reminder of the many everyday Quebecers working hard to help integrate newcomers into our society with kindness and a helping hand, easing them into our collective 'we.' In her moving 2020 essay 'Qui ça, nous ?', Mercier — whose Haitian mom arrived here in 1965 at age 20 — notes: ''We' is more than a cocoon, it's a boundary; it excludes at the same time as it envelops. With tangible consequences for those kept outside.' The sixth episode of Devenir Keb explores exactly that — how 'othering' affects immigrants' sense of belonging and often prevents them from identifying as Quebecers. The series' resident immigration expert, Mireille Paquet, director of Concordia University's Institute for Research on Migration and Society, is someone whose expertise I've sought often. Her insight is invaluable in dispeling popular, often damaging, myths around immigration and the process of asylum. Mercier says the best way to overcome our preconceived ideas about strangers we might distrust is to be in contact with them. But, as she points out, not all Quebecers have the same opportunities to be around immigrants. 'The only representation they have,' she tells me, 'is what they see in the media, and that's necessarily reductive.' At a time when too many governments continue to treat immigration as a liability and a threat to the host society, Devenir Keb reminds us that the best way to make someone part of our 'we' is to fundamentally not treat them like an 'other.'
Montreal Gazette
22-05-2025
- Health
- Montreal Gazette
Dubé tables bill to change how Quebec doctors are paid
Quebec Politics The Legault government wants to link doctors' pay to various performance objectives in an effort to see the physicians take on a greater number of patients. Provincial Health Minister Christian Dubé tabled Bill 106 on Thursday even as contract negotiations with Quebec's two medical federations are continuing. The proposed legislation has been badly received by doctors, who have deemed it 'special legislation.' La Presse has reported that the government's own committee of experts on access to front-line care have also stopped short of recommending it. Meanwhile, the official opposition thinks the prospect of the law will be used by the government to provide leverage during negotiations with the federations. After first promising that each Quebecer would have access to a family doctor, the Coalition Avenir Québec government is now pledging to Quebecers access to a 'health-care milieu' such as a family medicine group. About 1.5 million Quebecers do not have a family doctor or regular health-care professional, a proportion of the population the government estimates at 17 per cent. This story was originally published May 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM.
Montreal Gazette
13-05-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
Quebecers take key posts in Mark Carney's new federal cabinet
Canadian Politics Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his new cabinet Tuesday, drawing on seasoned Quebec veterans and political newcomers, with several rookie MPs awarded key roles, and one conspicuously passed over. With seven of 28 cabinet posts going to Quebec MPs, the province that embraced Carney last month maintains significant clout in Ottawa. Carney's picks reflect a deliberate balance of continuity and change. Four of his Quebec ministers are Trudeau-era cabinet holdovers. François-Philippe Champagne kept his role as finance minister and added the national revenue portfolio. Mélanie Joly moved from foreign affairs to the industry ministry, with responsibility for the economic development of Quebec's regions. The assignment places her at the forefront as Canada grapples with economic turmoil triggered by the trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump. Steven Guilbeault kept his role as the minister of Canadian identity and culture. Carney also gave him the official languages portfolio — a role whose absence from his initial cabinet drew criticism in Quebec. Steven MacKinnon, another Quebecer, will be the government leader in the House of Commons. He was previously responsible for jobs and families. Three new Quebec faces joined the cabinet: Marjorie Michel, a deputy chief of staff to former prime minister Justin Trudeau, who went on to replace him as the MP for Papineau, was named health minister. She's a first-time MP. Mandy Gull-Masty, the first woman elected Quebec Cree Grand Chief, is the Minister of Indigenous Services. She's a rookie MP who unseated an incumbent Bloc Québécois MP. It's the first time an Indigenous person has led the federal department responsible for delivering services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Joël Lightbound, an MP since 2015 who was highly critical of Trudeau's handling of the pandemic, is the minister of government transformation, public works and procurement. He represents a riding in Quebec City, where the Liberals made inroads. Absent from the cabinet announcement was the name of Carlos Leitão. The former Quebec finance minister, who once served as Laurentian Bank's chief economist, was considered a contender for an economic post. Also passed over were veteran Trudeau ministers Jean-Yves Duclos and Marc Miller. Carney also named 10 secretaries of state. They are not members of the cabinet, but can participate in cabinet meetings when matters related to their responsibilities are raised. The list includes Quebecers Anna Gainey, who will be responsible for issues related to children and youth, and Nathalie Provost, whose portfolio will focus on nature. Gainey, the daughter of former Montreal Canadiens player Bob Gainey, has been an MP since 2023. Provost, a gun-control advocate and a survivor of the Polytechnique massacre, is a first-time MP. In last month's election, Carney's Liberals won 43 per cent of the vote in Quebec — more than any other party — and boosted their seat count in the province by nine, capturing 44 ridings. That support from Quebecers means Carney 'owes one to Quebecers,' Premier François Legault has said. On social media Tuesday, Legault signalled that immigration will be a key issue in his dealings with Carney. He shared an article about the United Kingdom's newly announced immigration cuts, calling it 'required reading' for the incoming federal government. Legault also reiterated that Quebec wants fewer immigrants settling in Montreal and Laval. Carney needs strong Quebec cabinet representation, in part because a provincial election is set for October 2026 with the separatist Parti Québécois leading in the polls and vowing to hold a sovereignty referendum. The province's business groups welcomed the revamped cabinet. 'Quebec's strengthened presence in several key economic portfolios is an opportunity to advance concrete solutions to support growth, innovation and the competitiveness of local businesses,' said Marie-Claude Perreault, interim CEO of the Conseil du patronat du Québec, the province's largest employers' group. Véronique Proulx, CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, said the new federal government's 'priorities are well aligned with those of businesses, particularly in terms of workforce, competitiveness and market access. 'We expect public policies and impactful programs that will have concrete effects on our businesses and our economy.' LIVE: Introducing Canada's new Ministry • EN DIRECT : Présentation du nouveau ministère canadien — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 13, 2025 Cabinet members Mark Carney, Prime Minister Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Steven MacKinnon, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries Secretaries of state Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development) Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement) Anna Gainey, Secretary of State (Children and Youth) Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions) Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors) Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature) Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State (Combatting Crime) Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development) Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport) John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour) This article will be updated. This story was originally published May 13, 2025 at 11:22 AM.
Global News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Liberal MP celebrates ‘rollercoaster' win, flipping Quebec seat by one vote
A 24-year-old Quebecer is celebrating one of the closest victories in the history of federal politics after flipping a Bloc Québécois seat to Liberal by an incredibly narrow margin. 'It's been a rollercoaster. From winning to not winning, and then winning again,' said Tatiana Auguste, the new member of Parliament for Terrebonne, Que., northeast of Montreal. She won her seat by a single vote, following a judicial recount by Elections Canada. 1:59 Bloc Québécois loses seats but gains power in Ottawa 'It still feels a little bit surreal,' she said on Mother's Day, with her mom looking on during the interview. Story continues below advertisement '(My family is) very proud, very happy. I don't know if they understand what's to come, but we shall see,' Auguste said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The rookie politician was born in Haiti and grew up in Montreal. She has a degree in economics and worked as a political staffer before running for public office. Auguste says she, and the Liberals, represented a 'breath of fresh air' in the riding, where the separatist party had been in power for a decade. 4:53 Former Canadian diplomat on Carney-Trump White House meeting Quebecers were instrumental in electing Prime Minister Mark Carney, where voters increasingly preoccupied by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to Canadian sovereignty moved away from the Bloc and towards the Liberals. Auguste was projected to win on election night, but the incumbent Bloc candidate Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné moved ahead in a validation process. The seat ultimately went to Auguste after the recount. Story continues below advertisement 'We had confidence in the system that it would do what it had to do, and we waited and thankfully for us it went well,' Auguste said. Neil Wiseman, a retired political science professor at the University of Toronto, says while tight races are common, they're rarely this razor thin. 'It's amazing. You have about 50,000 people vote, and it comes down to one vote. That is very unusual,' he said. The victory means the Liberal seat count now stands at 170, just two shy of the number needed for a majority government. 'It doesn't matter whether they get a majority of not. They're going to act like a majority,' said Wiseman. 'This is now in the Canadian tradition.' Last week, interim NDP Leader Don Davies told Global News the Liberals are making phone calls to NDP members of Parliament to see if they will join the Liberal Party in an effort to reach a majority government. Carney is preparing to unveil his cabinet Tuesday and will have a significant Quebec caucus to choose from — that now includes Auguste after her nail-biting victory. Terrebonne resident Marilyn Vena said she's breathing a sigh of relief after the recount results. Story continues below advertisement 'I'm thrilled, (there's) finally somebody Liberal in Terrebonne,' she said. 'It was very tight. It's going to be difficult for her because this is established Bloc country. I hope she does well.' — with files from Global News' Jillian Piper and Mackenzie Gray, and The Canadian Press
Montreal Gazette
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: More doctors likely to flee under CAQ plan
Re: ' Doctors face a whole new game of hardball ' (Allison Hanes, May 9) Beneath the verbal window dressing, Quebec's latest health legislation does not seem like a plan to extend primary care to every Quebecer — it looks like a plan to ration medical care, given that doctors are a scarce resource in Quebec. If this plan becomes law, I expect doctors will become even scarcer. Elaine Bander, Montreal Airport expansion is a good thing There has been much anguish about the expansion of Trudeau airport and the loss of such buildings as the Manoir Kanisha pet boarding centre. Pet facilities and other buildings can be relocated, but an airport may be expanded only onto contiguous property that fits within the efficient layout of runways and support facilities — it cannot be piecemeal across the city. In the mid-1800s, Emperor Napoleon III created Paris's magnificent boulevards by demolishing narrow streets and buildings that had grown randomly over centuries, to the anguish of many Parisians. Would anyone now say Paris should revert to its earlier form? The charm, the heart of the city, rests upon these great boulevards. In the 21st century, a city without a modern, well-designed airport will slowly suffocate. Montreal must expand its airport; otherwise, it risks becoming a quaint backwater. David Grogan, Old Montreal A celebration, not a protest As organizers of the annual Israel Day Celebration, we would like to thank The Gazette for its interest and coverage of our event. However, we are very disappointed that you gave the presence and message of the few protesters who showed up at our event so much weight. To begin with, you classified these people as 'counter-protesters' when they were actually the protesters. In order to have a counter protest there has to be a protest to counter. Our event is not a protest — it is a celebration, no different than Canada Day, the Fourth of July or Cinqo de Mayo. We were having a party (for which we had all the required permits) and they were across the street protesting, chanting and defaming the thousands of people celebrating. While your reporters took pains to quote their chants, sadly we saw few citations from the thousands who gathered to celebrate. We should also note this celebration took place on May Day, when major cities around the world contend with general anarchy, physical destruction and violent clashes between police and a hodgepodge of activists that leave a wake of damage and expense to local businesses and governments. On the other hand, we celebrated on a weekday, with joy and revelry, left our spaces in better shape than they were when we arrived, and left a trail of nothing but smiles and warm greetings. Michael Druckman, co-chair of the Israel Day Celebration, Montreal Time to revisit transfer payments? If Bloc Québécois Leader Yves François Blanchet believes he is in an 'artificial country,' maybe Alberta should send 'artificial transfer payments.' Anthony Edwin Sura, Calgary Submitting a letter to the editor Letters should be sent by email to letters@ We prioritize letters that respond to, or are inspired by, articles published by The Gazette. If you are responding to a specific article, let us know which one. Letters should be sent uniquely to us. The shorter they are — ideally, fewer than 200 words — the greater the chance of publication. Timing, clarity, factual accuracy and tone are all important, as is whether the writer has something new to add to the conversation. We reserve the right to edit and condense all letters. Care is taken to preserve the core of the writer's argument. Our policy is not to publish anonymous letters, those with pseudonyms or 'open letters' addressed to third parties. Letters are published with the author's full name and city or neighbourhood/borough of residence. Include a phone number and address to help verify identity; these will not be published. We will not indicate to you whether your letter will be published. If it has not been published within 10 days or so, it is not likely to be.
