The federal government pays financial compensation to Quebec in order to ensure the reception and integration of immigrants.

The reasons for the creation of the ministry were: to prevent French from losing its dominant position in Quebec society as the birth rate of French Canadians fell, and to attract immigrants from the French-speaking world to Quebec.

It also established a network of seven language orientation and training centres, whose goal was to teach French to newcomers.

[2] The department was previously overseen by the Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities as a member of the Executive Council of Quebec.

[3][4] Legault has raised the idea of having a referendum on immigration powers,[5][6][7] a pledge that was repeated after the party has increased its majority.