[LINK] "Montreal’s French invasion: Why immigrants from France are moving in en masse"

[rfmcdonald]

Benjamin Shingler's Canadian Press article, published in The Globe and Mail, describes the notable phenomenon of French immigration to Canada, particularly to Québec. This migration is a very recent phenomenon. It's safe to say that, until a couple of generations ago, although French immigrants to Canada might have been influential in terms of actual numbers there was little migration from France to Canada, certainly nothing comparing to British migration to Canada. This is a change.

When Christian Faure moved to Montreal last summer, the renowned chef saw a chance to start fresh in a new city, freed from the constraints of his native France.

Faure opened a pastry shop and cooking school in a renovated 300-year-old greystone on a busy street in Old Montreal.

“It would be totally impossible to open a similar patisserie in a historic quarter in Paris and Lyon,” said Faure, who had a stint as director of the Cordon Bleu chef school in Ottawa before moving to the city. “In Montreal, it’s still possible. It’s a city of arts and theatre, and it encourages young people.”

Faure isn’t alone. Faced with a slumping economy and high unemployment rate back home, the number of French citizens in Montreal has soared in recent years, particularly among the 25-40 age demographic.

These days, the unmistakable accent of the Old Country echoes through the bars and cafés of the city’s trendy Plateau district. Specialty stores offering made-in-France delicacies and pubs that televise French rugby and soccer matches have also recently popped up.

[. . .]

A consulate spokesman estimates only about half of the French in Canada register, putting the estimated number of French citizens in Montreal at about 110,000. Toronto and Quebec City are the next most popular destinations, each home to about 10,000 registered French citizens.