On any given Wednesday evening, if you enter the sanctuary of Sainte Rose Church north of Montreal, you will hear a chorus of voices trying out new pronunciations, verbs, and conversing with one another in what at one time may have been an unfamiliar language but has since become part of everyday life: French. The free weekly courses are just one aspect of MCC Quebec’s migration and resettlement program which aims to help newcomers thrive in their new communities.
Learning French is essential to accessing opportunities and integrating into daily life in the province of Québec. Though the city of Montréal is mostly bilingual, many migrants settle outside the main island where they are quickly immersed in smaller French-speaking Québecois communities.
The Government of Québec offers free French courses to newcomers after they’ve lived in the province for one year. Some participants are paid the equivalent of minimum wage and can attend on a part-time or full-time basis. But, with the rising cost of living and family needs, there is often immediate pressure on newcomers to learn French and start working right away.
MCC Quebec’s migration and resettlement program began in 2024 as a pilot to research the viability of private refugee sponsorship in Quebec. Government policy changes led the program to broaden the scope of its mission. Pastors of constituent churches raised the need for supports for newcomers already in Canada, like French classes, and help navigating the maze of systems like healthcare, daycare, school, public transit, and the job market in Quebec.
Responding to this context, the MCC Quebec Migration and Resettlement program has developed into an adaptable program that responds to the needs of migrants who are already living in the community and continues to prepare for potential refugee sponsorship in the future. The program has grown to include French classes, educational sermons, one-on-one support meetings, trauma-informed workshops, and social events anchored by a strong sense of community and care.
*Maryam arrived in Canada three years ago and anxiously waits for her children and husband to join her. Shortly after settling in the lower Laurentians, just North of Montreal, she joined a church, signed up to volunteer on Sunday mornings, and immediately connected with the MCC Migration and resettlement program. Despite the stress of everyday life including a factory job and preparing for her family’s arrival, Maryam's goals for her future are clear, to safely settle her family and prepare for job interviews so that she can provide for them.
In what could be an isolating process, Maryam is receiving individualized support from MCC; including help filling out paperwork and learning how the Quebec school systems work. Maryam is in the process of enrolling her children into local schools, in anticipation of their arrival, hopefully in the coming weeks.
When the clock strikes 8, signalling the end of French class, conversations flow into the hallways and parking lot. By opening the door on weeknights to the world of Québecois culture, opportunities for further connection are unlocked too. As the program continues to grow, the Migration and Resettlement Program Coordinator, who arrived in Canada herself just two years ago, points to the resiliency and determination of participants like Maryam: ‘They have a vision for their lives. There is no time to waste, they work hard and get involved as best they can.’
For more information on the program or upcoming local events email: migrationquebec@mcccanada.ca
*names have been changed for security reasons.