MONTREAL — The vast majority of SME owners are enthusiastic about the idea of offering francization in the workplace, but they will need help to cover the costs, argues the Canadian Federation of Independent Business ( CFIB).
Quebec entrepreneurs’ support for francization is strong, insists the Quebec vice-president of the CFIB, François Vincent, who presents data from a survey carried out by his association among 485 members. “SMEs see francization as being really important for the economy and society.”
In fact, 80% of respondents believe that the francization of employees in small businesses contributes to the economy. 79% believe that strengthening francization measures would promote integration in the workplace.
Francization is also seen as favorable in a context of labor scarcity. Free access to francization measures would encourage the hiring of new employees, believe 73% of SMEs.
Mr. Vincent also welcomes the recent creation of the Francisation Québec one-stop shop by the Legault government.
The CFIB surveyed its members while the Legault government will begin the consultation period on Tuesday to update immigration targets for the 2024-2027 period. Quebec plans to gradually increase the thresholds from 50,000 people to 60,000 during this period.
The consultation is also an opportunity to reflect on the Frenchization of immigrants. The workplace is a good place to do this, believes Mr. Vincent, but SMEs will need financial support to pay for this training.
68% of SME managers mention that the costs associated with francization courses are difficult to bear.
The largest SMEs sometimes manage to adjust their prices according to their costs, but, for the smallest, the increase in costs tends to eat into margins or increase debt, warns Mr. Vincent. “What’s happening for small businesses is cost increases are hurting them.”
2023-09-09 17:03:38
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