In an announcement on 30th October 2024, Quebec’s Immigration Minister, Jean-François Roberge, unveiled Quebec’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025. This annual plan lays out Quebec’s approach to immigration, underscoring its commitment to preserving the French language while addressing economic and demographic needs.
Admission Targets and Economic Category Focus
Quebec has reaffirmed its goal of accepting between 48,500 and 51,500 permanent residents in 2025, staying consistent with its target of approximately 50,000 annual newcomers. The economic category, designed to attract skilled talent and support labor market needs, will remain the largest intake category. Quebec plans to admit 31,000 to 32,900 immigrants through economic programs, including the popular Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). When adding the PEQ admissions, economic immigration accounts for an estimated 72% of all new arrivals.
The remaining new residents will be accommodated through other avenues, including refugee programs and family reunification. In particular, between 10,200 and 10,600 people would be brought in through family reunions, and between 6,600 and 7,200 people will be welcomed through refugee programs.
Emphasis on French Language Proficiency
Quebec is placing a strong emphasis on newcomers’ ability to speak French as part of its continuous efforts to preserve the language. According to the proposal, between 79 and 80 percent of all immigrants will speak French when they arrive in 2025, with the percentage rising to 95 percent for key candidates in economic categories. This is in line with Quebec’s objective of luring talent and bolstering the French-speaking community in the province.
Program Suspensions Affecting Permanent Residency Pathways
Quebec issued suspensions for two well-known permanent residency pathways in conjunction with the levels plan. The Regular Skilled Workers Program (RSWP) will suspend its invitation procedure for applications for permanent selection as of November 29, 2024. This suspension will last until at least June 30, 2025, when the Skilled Worker Selection Program will take its place. Applications for the Quebec Graduate stream, which is a popular avenue for international students under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), have also been temporarily suspended by Quebec.
Future Planning for Temporary Foreign Workers and Multi-Year Immigration Goals
Unlike the federal Immigration Levels Plan, Quebec’s 2025 plan does not impose specific limits on temporary foreign workers. However, the province plans to hold public consultations next year to help shape multi-year immigration strategies that will incorporate temporary immigration guidelines. This approach aims to better align temporary and permanent immigration to meet Quebec’s workforce needs over the coming years.
Country-Specific Cap for Regular Skilled Worker Program Applications
Adding to these changes, Quebec recently introduced a cap on the Regular Skilled Worker Program. As of October 9, 2024, no more than 25% of invitations in each draw will be issued to applicants from any single country. This measure, effective for one year, is intended to diversify the national backgrounds of applicants entering through this skilled worker pathway.
Quebec’s Unique Position in Canadian Immigration
In Canada’s immigration system, Quebec plays a unique role. In order to protect the French language, it prioritises Francophone immigration and has control over the talented people it hires. The province pledged last year to welcome 50,000 newcomers a year in 2024 and 2025, with a strong emphasis on family reunification and economic immigration.
The declaration from Quebec comes after the federal government recently unveiled Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027, which set federal goals that were much lower than those that had been previously established. According to the federal government’s three-year plan, 395,000 new permanent residents would be admitted in 2025, followed by 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.
Quebec’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025 reflects its approach to immigration—balancing the protection of its Francophone identity with the economic demand for skilled labour, all while continuing its tradition of an independently managed immigration policy.
