45th Parliament · Session 1
Bill C-245: An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec)
Introduced
September 23, 2025
Current Stage
BillDefeated
Last Updated
February 4, 2026
Sponsor
Xavier Barsalou-Duval
Community Support
Community Vote
0% Support
0 votes
Politicians' Vote
7% Support
333 MPs
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Bill C-245
Wed Feb 04 2026
An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec)
Impact Rating
3/5
Short Summary
Exempts Quebec from the federal Canadian Multiculturalism Act, ending federal multiculturalism mandates and potentially funding within the province.
This Private Member's Bill proposes a single, specific change: to exempt the province of Quebec from the 'Canadian Multiculturalism Act'. Currently, this federal law mandates that the Government of Canada preserve and enhance the multicultural heritage of Canadians. If passed, federal institutions operating in Quebec would no longer be bound by this specific mandate, aligning with the Bloc Québécois' view that Quebec should follow its own model of 'Interculturalism' (integration into a common French-speaking culture) rather than the federal model of 'Multiculturalism'.
Why does this bill exist?
Origin (Platform Promise)
This aligns with the Bloc Québécois' long-standing platform to assert Quebec's sole jurisdiction over culture and reject the federal multiculturalism model.
Jurisdictional Exemption: The Canadian Multiculturalism Act would strictly cease to apply within Quebec's borders.
Policy Shift: Federal institutions (like Service Canada or federal departments located in Quebec) would no longer be legally required to promote the specific 'multiculturalism' goals defined in the Act within that region.
Symbolic Impact: This reinforces the political distinction between Canada's 'mosaic' model and Quebec's 'interculturalism' model.
Funding Risks: Community groups in Quebec that rely on federal grants tied specifically to the Multiculturalism Act could lose eligibility.
Minority Communities in Quebec
(Rights Restricted)
May lose access to specific federal grants or recognition designed to support their cultural heritage.
Federal Public Servants in Quebec
(Neutral)
Daily work remains similar, but internal diversity policies might change to align with provincial norms rather than federal statutes.
Quebec Nationalists
(Rights Expanded)
Gains legal reinforcement that Quebec's culture is distinct and separate from the Canadian multicultural model.
Provincial Impact
Provincial Impact
While this is a federal bill, it effectively cedes policy space to the Quebec provincial legislature to manage cultural integration without a competing federal framework.
Benefits & Pros
Acknowledges Quebec's distinct cultural identity and its preference for an integration-based model (Interculturalism).
Reduces potential policy friction between federal multicultural mandates and provincial language/culture laws (like Bill 96).
Allows Quebec to fully define how diversity is managed within its borders without federal interference.
Beneficiaries
Risks & Cons
Minority groups in Quebec could lose federal protections and funding dedicated to preserving their specific cultural heritage.
Creates a fractured legal landscape where federal employees have different mandates depending on which province they work in.
Could be seen as reducing the federal government's commitment to diversity for citizens living in Quebec.
Affected Groups
Before & After
Currently, a cultural non-profit in Montreal can apply for federal funding under the Multiculturalism Act to host a heritage festival. Under this Bill, the Act no longer applies in Quebec, so the federal government may deny the funding or require the program to be restructured entirely.
Real World Scenario
Currently: The Federal Minister of Canadian Heritage is required by law to advance multiculturalism throughout Canada, including in Montreal. Under this Bill: The Minister would be legally barred from applying that specific law in Montreal, meaning federal diversity initiatives there might cease or be transferred to provincial control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Votes on this bill
2nd reading of Bill C-245, An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec)
Wed Feb 04 2026
Yeas: 22
Nays: 307
Total: 333
Sponsor
Member of Parliament
House of Commons
First reading
Completed on September 23, 2025
Second reading
Not yet started
Consideration in committee
Not yet started
Report stage
Not yet started
Third reading
Not yet started
Senate
First reading
Not yet started
Second reading
Not yet started
Third reading
Not yet started
Abuse Potential
The bill creates a legal vacuum for federal institutions in Quebec regarding diversity. Without the Act's guidance, a future government could theoretically justify cutting all funding to ethnic or religious minority groups in Quebec, arguing there is no longer a legal mandate to support them. It could lead to a two-tier system where minority rights are actively promoted by the federal government in 9 provinces, but ignored in one.
Implementation Risk
Low. It is a simple text amendment. The risk is political (backlash from minority groups) rather than logistical.
Broad Economic Impact
None
Everyday Life
Minimal impact
Admin Burden
No changes to daily routine
Timeline
Immediate upon Royal Assent.
