However, the data now shows that such a language-based policy may no longer be attracting immigrants the way it did in previous years. Though overall immigration rates have increased over the past ten years, Quebec is falling far behind Ontario. Ontario attracts 52 percent of new arrivals to Canada, while Quebec, with its comparable size, is only attracting 18 percent of Canadian immigrants.

What’s more, Quebec is having an increasingly difficult time retaining its immigrants. It is estimated that 28 percent of immigrants leave the province within 5 years, and over 50 percent leave within two decades, though these figures are difficult to verify as Canada does not require any paperwork for interprovincial migration.

Why is Quebec falling behind? Analysts assert that many factors are contributing to the trend. Firstly, there seems to be more anti-immigrant rhetoric in Quebec – a province notorious for its fierce battle to hold onto its own distinct culture and language. Secondly, and in relation, immigrants to Quebec are legally required to send their children to French-language schools.

Furthermore, there is a perception that speaking English leads to better economic prospects than French, as economic booms of late have been centralized in Canada’s Western (and mostly Anglophone) provinces.

However, the situation could easily be turned around say the analysts. Access to English schools – which a recent court ruling could initiate – as well as more incentives for entrepreneurs could put Quebec back into competition for attracting and retaining residents.