Moroccans make 8.9% of new immigrants in Quebec

Canada's French-speaking province of Quebec received in 2001 37,500 new immigrants, including 8.9% of Moroccans, an official disclosed on Monday.

Quebec's minister of relations with citizens and immigration, Andre Boulerice, said at a press conference the province tabled a target of 35,200 to 38,300 new residents between 2001 and 2003.

A rate of 54% of the new residents are aged between 25 and 44 years while those aged below 25 account for more than 35%.

In this new wave of foreign residents, 7,386 persons come from north Africa, with Morocco becoming the third largest supplier of immigrants, Algeria holding the 4th rank and Tunisia the 13th rank.

As he was asked by MAP on the opening of an immigration office in Rabat, which was scheduled last fall, the official said the office will be opened the soonest.

For 2002, Quebec, which has a population of 7.3 million souls, is projecting to receive between 40,000 and 45,000 new immigrants while Canada is expecting up to 235,000 new residents.