Why are French immigrants flocking to Quebec?

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to the media as he greets Quebec Premier Francois Legault, left, prior to their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France. Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Rafael Yaghobzadeh Pool) Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

By The Big Story

Posted November 29, 2021 7:14 am.

In today’s The Big Story podcast, for centuries Quebec saw few, if any, immigrants from France. Over the past several decades that trend began to change, and in the past few years, it’s been accelerating rapidly. So why are French ex-pats settling in the province en masse? What do they find when they get there? And from housing, to the workforce, to the currently booming economy: how might this influx change Quebec?

GUEST: Eric Andrew Gee, Quebec correspondent, The Globe and Mail

You can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spotify.

You can also find it at thebigstorypodcast.ca.

Submit a Correction

Accessibility Feedback

Top Stories

Will gas prices reach $2.00 per litre?

Gas prices jumped 8 cents to $1.78 per litre in the Greater Toronto Area on Sunday. That price should hold until the middle of the week, but the conflict in Iran is causing severe turbulence at the pumps...

16m ago

'More than just a store': Iconic Toronto music store Steve's closing its doors on Sunday

An iconic Toronto music store will be closing its doors for the final time on Sunday as part of a broader restructuring effort. After six decades in business, Steve’s Music Store is closing its stores...

5h ago

Quebec's Bill 21 lands in the Supreme Court, with notwithstanding clause in spotlight

MONTREAL — A legal challenge to Quebec's secularism law, known as Bill 21, will be heard at the Supreme Court of Canada beginning Monday, and legal experts say whatever the eventual ruling, it will have...

4h ago

People 'bathe' in nature to get respite from chaotic news cycle

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — For two hours, Claire Jefferies wanted to get away from the war in Iran and the rising gas prices and just commune with nature. And, so, she treated herself to a little forest bathing. “When...

2h ago

Top Stories

Will gas prices reach $2.00 per litre?

Gas prices jumped 8 cents to $1.78 per litre in the Greater Toronto Area on Sunday. That price should hold until the middle of the week, but the conflict in Iran is causing severe turbulence at the pumps...

16m ago

'More than just a store': Iconic Toronto music store Steve's closing its doors on Sunday

An iconic Toronto music store will be closing its doors for the final time on Sunday as part of a broader restructuring effort. After six decades in business, Steve’s Music Store is closing its stores...

5h ago

Quebec's Bill 21 lands in the Supreme Court, with notwithstanding clause in spotlight

MONTREAL — A legal challenge to Quebec's secularism law, known as Bill 21, will be heard at the Supreme Court of Canada beginning Monday, and legal experts say whatever the eventual ruling, it will have...

4h ago

People 'bathe' in nature to get respite from chaotic news cycle

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — For two hours, Claire Jefferies wanted to get away from the war in Iran and the rising gas prices and just commune with nature. And, so, she treated herself to a little forest bathing. “When...

2h ago

Most Watched Today

2:37

Toronto family waiting for answers from the City of Toronto after dog killed by coyote

Toronto family waiting for answers from the City of Toronto after their beloved dog was killed in a coyote attack, Alessandra Carneiro reports.

March 21, 2026 6:25 pm EST EST

2:10

Temperatures falling below season

Some patch fog, mist and drizzle is in the forecast for the Greater Toronto Area. Weather Specialist Jessie Uppal has the details.

March 20, 2026 7:29 pm EST EST

2:37

Exclusive: TDSB fights city decision that would protect school lands from redevelopment

Concerned community members say there is now concrete proof that dozens of Toronto schools are being targeted for redevelopment, as the TDSB fights a city decision that would have protected the lands. Tina Yazdani reports.

March 21, 2026 8:30 am EST EST

2:54

Mounting delays at many U.S. airports as TSA workers lose full pay

Travel woes mount for U.S. passengers as TSA shortages grow amid the partial government shutdown. Why legislators need to reach a deal fast, and a new bill that could change the way lawmakers themselves travel.

March 20, 2026 5:32 pm EST EST

0:37

Canadian border patrol officer charged for allegedly allowing drug-carrying truck into Ont.

A border services officer who worked at the Queenston-Lewiston port of entry in Niagara-on-the-Lake has been charged after a transport truck containing millions of dollars worth of opium, cannabis products and tobacco was allegedly let into Canada.

March 20, 2026 12:39 pm EST EST