Quebec Immigration Minister Yolande James recently announced that the province will be progressively increasing the number of immigrants to Quebec over the next three years. By 2010, the Quebec government plans to welcome 55,000 newcomers, up from approximately 46,000 this year.

The hike is in response to Quebec’s labour shortage and declining birth rate. “Immigration constitutes an essential element to our development,” stated Minister James, who also noted that Quebec will need 680,000 people to fill jobs in the next three years.

Quebec’s target for 2008 is 49,000 immigrants, with an almost equal proportion coming from Africa (27 per cent), Asia (26 per cent), Europe (26 per cent), and the Americas (21 per cent).

Minister James has increased spending on French programs and integration services for newcomers. The total allocated for 2006-2007 is $239.4 million.