The objective of this article is to show how Quebec's policy with regard to the integration of minority ethnic groups is problematic in the context of Quebec's present political status. This policy is partly short circuited by the federal government's promotion of Canada's bilingual and multicultural character. As such, numerous obstacles confront Quebec's integration policy and the defence of the French language, pillar of the common public culture. The Quebecois approach stands in contradiction to the representation of the "nation" advocated by Canada, which inhibits the consolidation of Quebecois citizenship and a feeling of belonging to Quebecois national society.