City officials in Gatineau, Que., say they have pulled a controversial immigrant values guide after backlash from local community organizations and a human rights complaint from a local resident.

A Gatineau, Que., immigrant values guide was pulled by city officials after complaints from community groups and a human rights complaint. (CBC)

But the online version of the 16-point values guide, which was released by the city on Nov. 28, remains on the city's website.

The guide was aimed to help newcomers integrate into local society and learn how to interact in a new environment. It spelled out basic information, but also suggested immigrants should try to limit cooking "smelly foods" and refrain from bribing city officials.

Officials said they decided last week to take the guide off the shelves and review some of the wording.

The guide is currently undergoing revisions, officials confirmed to Radio-Canada, and will be sent to city council when the changes are complete. There is no official timeline, though.

The guide was not approved by council before its first release.

Moroccan immigrant will continue with human rights complaint

The Gatineau man who filed a complaint to Quebec's Human Rights Commission regarding the guide said he would continue with his complaint. He is also still waiting for an apology

Kamal Maghi, a Moroccan immigrant living in Gatineau, Que., was investigated after sending an email to city officials complaining about the values guide. (CBC)

Kamal Maghri, a Moroccan immigrant who moved to Gatineau more than 10 years ago, said there has been a mistake made that has insulted immigrants.

"They don't understand that it's not something that should be posted online. It's very condescending to immigrants," Maghri said.

"There's no respect, they're talking about smelly food, they're talking about don't mistreat your children, it's like parents have no common sense."

Maghri complained to the city in December about the values guide, which prompted an investigation of his background.

City officials then mistakenly copied Maghri on emails detailing his personal information. In the email, one official mentioned Maghri moved to Gatineau around the time of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

In a similar matter, a 2007 immigrant code for newcomers to the Hérouxville, Que., area was changed after publication to remove references to "no stoning of women in public" and "no female circumcision."