What’s changing in Quebec’s immigration system — and why it’s sparking backlash

The Quebec government continues to face growing opposition to its decision to nix its immigration program known as the PEQ, replacing it with the new and more restrictive Skilled Worker Selection program. 

Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge has repeatedly defended that decision in recent weeks, explaining the new program, known by its French initials PSTQ, will allow the province to better target the workers that are most urgently needed. 

But everyone from immigration experts to opposition parties, municipalities and business groups have spoken out against the decision. 

What does the end of the PEQ actually change? We break it down for you here.

The Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) was a pathway for immigrants to obtain a Quebec selection certificate — a step that is required to apply for permanent residency.

Not everyone qualified for the program.

Only international students and foreign workers who had an advanced level of French, worked in certain sectors in Quebec for at least two years could apply.

The spouses of applicants also needed to provide proof of their level of French.

Protests across Quebec push back against abolition of immigration program

While the PEQ didn’t automatically grant permanent residency to newcomers experts argue the requirements were a lot clearer in the program and made it easier for applicants to predict whether they’d be accepted.

“It wasn’t all jobs that were eligible under the PEQ,” immigration lawyer Laurence Trempe said. “It’s a program that was very selective.”

In an effort to reduce the number of immigrants allowed to settle in the province, the Quebec government changed some of the requirements for the PEQ, cutting down the list of eligible jobs over time and abolishing it entirely last November.

While Roberge is refusing to grant an exemption and allow those already in the province to apply through the PEQ, he has invited so-called “PEQ orphans” to apply for certificates through the PSTQ.

The government has also specified that PEQ applications that were submitted before the abolition of the program will still be processed.

Roberge has claimed granting an exemption and allowing those who are already in the province to submit PEQ applications would mean “hundreds of thousands” of people could apply for permanent residency in Quebec.

“That’s an extremely misleading statement,” said immigration lawyer Yves Martineau.

According to the province’s data between 5,900 and 25,000 selection certificates were handed out per year between 2020 and 2023 under the PEQ.

Those who wish to apply for permanent residency in the province need to express their interest through an online platform called Arrima.

The Quebec government will then send out invitations to some applicants at the end of every month, according to a new points-based system that works off evolving government priorities.

This year, the province is prioritizing applicants in regions outside of Montreal and Laval, especially those who work in certain sectors like health care, education and construction and those who completed their studies in Quebec.

The government plans on selecting some 29,000 economic immigrants this year, mainly through the PSTQ program.

Quebec to prioritize applicants outside Montreal under new permanent residency program

Roberge said the province decided to prioritize these applicants, because of labour shortages and economic needs in the regions, and in order to avoid putting pressure on public services and housing.

The government sent out its first round of PSTQ invitations last month, with just over 2,500 sent.

More than 64 per cent were sent to newcomers outside Montreal and Laval, according to Roberge.

But this list of priorities has done little to reassure municipalities, including in the regions, with many arguing an exemption for the PEQ would not put pressure on housing or health care as applicants consist of people already settled in the province.

According to Santé Québec, more than 6,300 workers, including nurses and orderlies, in the province’s health-care system are temporary foreign workers whose work permits are set to expire by the end of 2026.

About half of those workers are based in Montreal.

The abolition of the PEQ raised concerns among unions and opposition parties that the province could soon lose these thousands of health-care workers, leading to potential service disruptions in hospitals and health-care institutions across the province.

But when questioned on this by the Quebec Liberal Party in the legislature last week, Roberge said he would commit to sending PSTQ invitations to those health-care workers by the end of the year.

Businesses at risk of losing staff after Quebec slashes program for permanent residency

“I pledge that the government select these people, these essential workers who work in the health-care system by the end of 2026,” he said. “Thanks to our [PSTQ], we are able to guarantee we will select these people by the end of the year.”

Roberge added that he is also in talks with Ottawa to ensure that their work permits are renewed in the meantime.

Roberge has made repeated calls for Ottawa to renew work permits, blaming the federal government for the uncertainty and anxiety immigrants in Quebec are currently facing.

But Martineau, who is also vice-president of the Association québécoise des avocats et avocates en droit de l’immigration, says the delays to renew work permits are due in large part to the requirements the Quebec government has put in place.

“The only reason there are restrictions in Montreal and Laval is because of [the Quebec government],” he said.

For instance, the province had put in place a moratorium on the renewal of work permits for those based in Montreal and Laval earning $72,000 per year and less — with the exception of workers in certain sectors like health care and childcare.

In a recent statement to CBC News, the office of federal Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab pointed out Quebec is entirely responsible for the selection of its economic immigrants.

“It’s important to note that individuals holding a Quebec Selection Certificate issued by the province under [the PEQ and PSTQ] programs may apply for an extension of their work permit,” the statement reads.

It added Metledge Diab met with Roberge last month.

“Our government put forward several ways to collaborate to meet the needs of businesses and enable workers established in our regions to settle permanently in Quebec.”