French usage decreases among Montreal businesses

Quebec Premier François Legault, concerned about the decline of French in the province, has proposed limiting economic immigration to French-speaking immigrants by 2026. His worries are backed by a report showing complaints to the Office de la Langue Française have tripled in five years. The report also shows a decrease in businesses using French as the sole greeting language on Montreal’s island, from 84% in 2010 to 71% last year. This decline and a housing affordability crisis have led to anti-immigrant sentiment despite Quebec welcoming over 52,000 new permanent residents last year.