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This week on ‘Focus Montreal’: Candidates discuss immigration and identity

In this 2016 file photo, Syrian refugees Jamil Haddad (left to right), Tony Batekh, George Louka and Edmon Artin have some fun while they attend French classes at a school. Immigration has been a hot-button issue in the Quebec provincial election. Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.
In this 2016 file photo, Syrian refugees Jamil Haddad (left to right), Tony Batekh, George Louka and Edmon Artin have some fun while they attend French classes at a school. Immigration has been a hot-button issue in the Quebec provincial election. Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018. Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press

Focus Montreal introduces Montrealers to people who are shaping our community by bringing their stories into focus.

The program airs Saturday at 5:30 p.m. as well as Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and midnight.

Take a look at who we’re meeting this week:

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Decision Quebec: Immigration and identity

With a little over a week left before Quebecers head to the polls, Global News continues to look at the issues that matter to voters.

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The issue of identity and immigration has become a central theme of the current election campaign.

READ MORE: Immigration attacks continue between Quebec party leaders after English debate

The Quebec Liberal Party wants increase the number of immigrants, particularly in the regions, to address the province’s labour shortage.

On the other hand, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) is proposing to decrease the number of immigrants coming to Quebec and put them through language and values testing after three years in the province.

READ MORE: Immigrant community urges Quebec politicians to relax stance on language

The Parti Québécois (PQ) wants to prioritize French-speaking immigrants without submitting them to a proficiency test while Québec Solidaire insists it would would make sure 25 per cent of public sector employees are from ethnic and visible minorities.

READ MORE: Quebec political leaders on immigration — reality check

Representatives from three of the four main political parties joined senior anchor Jamie Orchard to elaborate on their platforms and debate their positions.

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The candidates who joined Focus Montreal are as follows:

  • Jocelyn Caron, PQ Candidate in Laval-Des-Rapides
  • Ismaël Seck, Québec Solidaire candidate for Jeanne-Mance-Viger
  • Christopher Skeete, CAQ candidate for Sainte-Rose
  • Kathleen Weil, Liberal candidate for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce

WATCH BELOW: Following the candidates’ debate on immigration, Orchard was joined by Ipsos Canada senior vice-president and general manager for Quebec, Sébastien Dallaire and political commentator Dan Delmar who offered some perspective on the discussions.

Click to play video: 'Decision Quebec: Immigration and identity'
Decision Quebec: Immigration and identity

Previous debates had candidates discussing education and transportation.

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