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QUEBEC — Despite a mild rap on the knuckles from Ottawa, Quebec is steaming ahead with its plan to reduce its immigration numbers by about 20 per cent in 2019.

Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette tabled the plan in the National Assembly on Tuesday. It says Quebec will reduce the total number of new arrivals by more than 10,000 a year — from 53,300 in 2018 to between 38,000 and 42,000 in 2019.

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The idea, Jolin-Barrette said, is to welcome in fewer but do a better job helping them integrate, find jobs and learn French.

Quebec describes the reduction as temporary, but there is no indication when or if the number will be allowed to grow despite the province’s chronic labour shortages and pleas from employers everywhere for more workers.