Serious priority should be given to immigration in Quebec in the years to come, even if for the first time in half a century, one notices an increase in the birthrate. This was the point of view of Clément Gignac, first vice-president and strategist at la Financière Banque Nationale, on the occasion of the recent Forum on Multi-residential Investment held in Montreal.
The economic problems of our American neighbours would not have too much influence on the Canadian territory. According to M. Gignac, the possibility of a recession is smaller in Quebec. The unemployment rate of the Province is similar to the one in Toronto, at 8 %.
According to this expert, there will be more people who will stop working in 2010 than there will be people entering the workforce. The segment of the population, 65 years and older, will be growing.
He also believes that professional corporations will have to develop a greater openness of mind towards foreigners if we are to continue providing our services to the citizens.
Montreal is second among the big cities of North America, just behind Boston, in attracting the greatest number of foreign students to its universities.