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That was enough for the government to rule her level of French wasn’t sufficient to obtain a selection certificate under the Quebec experience program, noting in a letter she didn’t complete her study entirely in French.

In place since 2010, the popular program allows foreign students with a qualifying diploma or people with work experience in the province to receive an expedited selection certificate, fast-tracking residency and making it possible to stay.

Flabbergasted by the response, Dubois contacted the government herself.

“I told them, ‘I don’t understand, I’m French, I’ve been speaking French since my childhood … so it’s nonsense you’re telling me I don’t speak French,”‘ she said.

Dubois said she did a French test recognized by the ministry and sent the results by registered mail.

I don't understand, I'm French, I've been speaking French since my childhood

But later in the spring, she got a letter from the government maintaining its decision.

Dubois, 31, has lived in Quebec for the past eight years, completing her PhD in January 2018.

She came from France in February 2012 to do her doctorate at the university in Quebec City.

“I came with a rough idea. I didn’t know what I wanted to do so it was very much under construction as a life project,” Dubois said. “It came together as I went.”

Dubois said she hasn’t received any clear responses since her story was made public this week, first reported by Radio-Canada.

Her local member of the national assembly, Catherine Dorion, said she’d help Dubois get some clear answers. The member of the Quebec solidaire said she had been in contact with someone from the Coalition Avenir Quebec government.