Father says he can’t provide for family because of Bill 96, feels forced out of Quebec

An American man who recently moved to Quebec with his family says it’s been incredibly difficult to get work – and he expects Bill 96 to make things nearly impossible.

CityNews first spoke to the Calixte family last month. They moved to Montreal from Michigan less than a year ago, and say they now want to head back to the United States.

BACKGROUND: American family leaving Quebec after less than one year because of Bill 96

Jeffry Calixte says trying to learn French and work in French was already a struggle, but Bill 96 is making the task even more daunting.

“All I’m trying to do is provide for my family and I’m not able to do that,” he said.

The family moved to Montreal last September to be closer to family after Calixte’s mother passed away.

It was also a chance for the couple’s young girl to become bilingual.

Jeffry Calixte with his late mother. (Credit: Jeffry Calixte/handout)

But nine months later, Calixte has still not been able to obtain a work permit in Quebec, a process that was supposed to take three months.

“There are so many other immigrants that are here that just want to provide for their family,” he said. “They want to be contributors in this society and they’re going through exactly the same thing and the same frustration of sleepless nights, not sure what to do next.

“The fact of the matter is, if people knew that I’m at a point where I’m not really sure I can support my family anymore holding onto this dream…”

Calixte says even if he did have the permit, with Bill 96 passing, getting a job would still be a problem.

“The added pressure of not being 100 per cent fluent in French or very literate in the French language,” he said. “So that’s added pressure that I have to convince the hiring manager that I’m the right person for the job and I will work and learn the language given time.”

The province’s French language law gives new powers to Quebec’s language office to investigate businesses suspected of not operating in the province’s official language.

READ MORE:

• Bill 96 French-language reform officially adopted in Quebec
• Bill 96: Anglophones share employment concerns as passing of language reform looms

That’s adding more of a barrier to Calixte finding a job as an anglophone in his field of management.

While Calixte says moving to another province is a possibility, he feels it shouldn’t be the only option for his family.

“I can’t immediately see a reality where I have to give up this dream for my family and go further away and bring my skills to another province,” he said.

Calixte says he’s not quitting, but he sees no other choice.

“I think it would be a shame if I have to leave here. I really want to make an impact. I want to contribute to the province. I want to help people here. I want to pay my taxes here.”