Continue to respect that immigration, both permanent and temporary, is a shared responsibility with the Government of Quebec. • YouBetcha

Current Status

Status: Not Started

No concrete actions by the Carney government have advanced this promise to maintain shared responsibilities and commitments under the Canada-Québec Accord.

Background

Immigration policy in Canada has long recognized Quebec's distinct role, formalized through the Canada-Québec Accord, which grants the province significant authority over selecting economic immigrants to support its linguistic and cultural priorities. During the 2025 federal election campaign, Mark Carney emphasized this framework as part of his platform on immigration, pledging to uphold the shared responsibility amid ongoing debates about immigration levels and their impact on provincial identities. Fulfilling this promise would involve maintaining federal respect for Quebec's input on both permanent and temporary immigration streams, ensuring that levels align with protecting the French language and Quebec's cultural uniqueness, without introducing federal policies that override the accord's principles. Previous administrations, including Justin Trudeau's, operated within this accord, but any continuity or changes under Carney would depend on his government's specific policies and negotiations with Quebec.

Evidence

No qualifying actions by the Carney government toward this promise have been documented in available sources. The provided materials include references to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and related regulations, with some amendments noted up to early 2026[#6], but none specify changes or affirmations related to the Canada-Québec Accord under Carney's administration. Earlier sources, such as a 2024 speech on immigration levels[#7] and a 2021 mandate letter[#8], predate Carney's tenure and do not reflect his government's activities. Without dated evidence of concrete steps, such as new agreements, policy implementations, or legislative adjustments initiated after Carney was sworn in, there is no record of progress.

Assessment

Prime Minister Mark Carney's pledge to continue respecting immigration as a shared responsibility with Quebec, while upholding commitments under the Canada-Québec Accord to protect the French language and Quebec's culture, remains unaddressed through any tangible government action. The absence of documented steps, such as updated federal-provincial agreements or specific policy measures to reinforce responsible immigration levels, leaves the promise in limbo as of March 10, 2026. This lack of movement raises questions about the priority given to Quebec's distinct needs in the national immigration framework, especially given the accord's longstanding role in balancing federal and provincial interests.

While the underlying legal structures, including the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, continue to exist, mere continuity from previous governments does not constitute fulfillment under Carney's specific commitment. Without evidence of his administration actively engaging in or affirming these shared responsibilities—through negotiations, adjustments to immigration targets in consultation with Quebec, or other verifiable steps—the promise stands as not started. As immigration debates evolve, Canadians, particularly in Quebec, will be watching for signs that the federal government is translating campaign words into policy reality.

Current Status

Background

Evidence

Assessment

Sources