An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec)

Bill C-245 makes one substantive change: it amends the Canadian Multiculturalism Act to state that the Act simply does not apply in Quebec. It adds a new provision (section 2.1) that creates this exemption.

In practical terms, this means the federal government's official multiculturalism policy and framework, currently set out in that Act, would no longer have any legal effect within Quebec. The rest of Canada would continue to be covered by the Canadian Multiculturalism Act as before; only Quebec would be carved out.

The bill's preamble explains the reasoning behind this change, stating that Quebecers form a nation with their own tools to define their identity and protect shared values, such as protection of the French language, separation of church and state, and gender equality, and therefore should not be subject to the federal multiculturalism law. The bill does not create any new programs, funding, or rules; it only removes the application of the existing federal law in one province.

This bill adds a provision to the Canadian Multiculturalism Act stating that the Act does not apply in Quebec.

• Scope of exemption — the amendment applies to the entire Canadian Multiculturalism Act, not to specific sections or programs within it, so no part of the Act's provisions would operate in Quebec once in force.
• No replacement framework — the bill does not create any alternative body, office, or set of rules to apply in Quebec in place of the Act; it only removes the Act's application there.
• No implementation detail — the bill does not specify how existing federal multiculturalism programs, funding, or activities currently operating in Quebec under the Act would be wound down or adjusted.
• No review mechanism — the text contains no reporting requirement, sunset clause, or scheduled review of the exemption once enacted.
• Preamble as stated rationale — the bill's preamble states that Quebecers form a nation with tools to define their identity and protect common values, including language, separation of state and religion, and gender equality; this text explains the bill's purpose but does not itself create powers or duties.