Where’s the money? Ottawa pressures Quebec to offer French classes to newcomers

The federal government has been sending millions of dollars each year to teach newcomers the French language

OTTAWA — After years of sending billions of dollars to the Quebec government so it could offer French classes to newcomers, Ottawa is now asking the province how the money is being spent.

For decades, the federal government has been sending hundreds of millions of dollars each year to the Quebec government so it could teach newcomers the French language to help them adapt to the only francophone province in Canada. Last year, Ottawa’s cheque was for more than $775 million. Meanwhile, Quebec has invested $478 million. The money is mainly used to offer French classes to adults and children.