Quebec has recently announced a temporary suspension of two prominent permanent residency pathways. As of now, the Quebec Experience Program for Quebec Graduates (PEQ – Diplômés) will not accept new applications, and the province has paused issuing invitations for the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ). This suspension will last until June 30, 2025, impacting both prospective immigrants and Quebec’s long-term immigration targets.
Lower Targets for PEQ Graduates and Permanent Resident Admissions
The Quebec government’s 2025 Immigration Levels Plan, revealed alongside this announcement, shows a sharp reduction in the target number of Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQs) for PEQ graduates. The projected CSQs will drop from 14,500 in 2024 to a target range of 4,500 to 5,700 in 2025. Additionally, the target admissions for permanent residents under this program have been lowered to 13,500-15,000, compared to the earlier estimate of 15,000-19,000.
Despite these specific reductions, Quebec intends to uphold its broader permanent residency target of 50,000 admissions in 2025. Unlike previous years, when the PEQ Graduate pathway had a separate admission count, all PEQ Graduate selections will now fall under the main target.
Quebec’s Efforts to Control Immigration Growth
Minister of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration Jean-François Roberge emphasized that the pause aligns with Quebec’s efforts to better control immigration levels. Only the graduate stream of the PEQ is affected by this suspension; the PEQ worker stream remains open. Roberge also hinted at a potential reduction in permanent immigration targets for the province, a move that would consider the population of temporary workers and students living in Quebec.
Roberge confirmed reports of the moratorium in a post on X Wednesday evening. “Our objective is clear: We want to equip ourselves with the necessary means to better regulate immigration in Quebec,” he wrote.
Restructuring the Regular Skilled Worker Program
Quebec’s pause on the PRTQ comes as the program undergoes restructuring, with plans to transition it to a new Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) on November 29, 2024. Quebec aims to streamline this pathway to address its current economic needs, especially with a projected target of 32,900 economic immigrants for 2025.
Recent Immigration Reforms in Quebec
These changes come on the heels of several immigration policy reforms. Earlier this month, Quebec introduced a limit on the number of PRTQ admissions from any single country, capping the figure at 25% to encourage a more diverse pool of applicants. Furthermore, Quebec announced it will no longer accept employer applications to hire temporary foreign workers in Montreal for roles that pay less than the provincial median hourly wage.
Opposition and Business Reactions
The recent suspension has sparked controversy within Quebec’s political landscape. Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon criticised the Legault government for an abrupt policy shift. He highlighted that while the PQ had suggested limiting economic immigration from outside Quebec, the government’s broader pause affects programs like the PEQ as well.
“It’s a 180-degree turn that the government decided to put a moratorium not only on economic immigration from outside of Quebec, which we proposed, but also on the PEQ,” said Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
Marc Tanguay, interim leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, added that this sudden change undermines Quebec’s competitiveness in attracting skilled workers and international students. Business leaders, including Karl Blackburn of the Conseil du patronat du Québec, expressed concern over the suspension’s potential impact on Quebec’s labour market. Blackburn argued that the province’s labour shortages already strain local businesses and that immigration is crucial for meeting Quebec’s workforce needs.
Shift to the Skilled Worker Selection Program
The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration has also confirmed that, starting November 29, 2024, the PRTQ will be replaced by a new system, the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP). The SWSP aims to modernise and streamline the selection process for economic immigrants, offering a more targeted approach to meet Quebec’s labour market needs.
Limitations on Temporary Foreign Worker Applications in Montreal
In addition to the moratorium on permanent residency pathways, Quebec announced new limitations on temporary foreign worker applications within the Montreal region. Employers in Montreal will no longer be able to hire temporary foreign workers for roles that pay below the median provincial hourly wage. This policy shift is intended to ensure fair labour market standards and prevent wage disparities among temporary and domestic workers.
Looking Ahead
This temporary suspension signals a shift in Quebec’s immigration strategy, aiming to prioritise sustainable immigration levels while balancing economic needs. As Quebec approaches the relaunch of the Regular Skilled Worker Program under a new model in late 2024, it remains to be seen how these changes will reshape Quebec’s immigration landscape in the long term.
