The Quebec Liberal Party is calling for an investigation after reports that some French training courses for newcomers have been canceled.

The official opposition spokesperson for immigration, French courses and integration claims to have sent a letter to the province’s French language commissioner to “ensure that the right to learning services of French” is respected.

The Liberals blame the Coalition Avenir Québec government’s budgetary decisions for these closures, adding that immigrants will have a harder time speaking French fluently and integrating into Quebec society without classes.

In several interviews this week, Quebec Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge blamed school service centers for the closures, saying his government had actually increased budgets for French classes.

The Quebec government has also been criticized by Ottawa, with federal Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos saying Friday that the $750 million spent by the federal government to help the province welcome new arrivals were not “fully utilized”.

The closures come at a time when demand for courses is increasing, with Quebec currently welcoming around 600,000 temporary immigrants.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published October 26, 2024.