Quebec Suspends Major Immigration Programs to Manage Incoming Population
PL Immigration reports a significant change in immigration policy as Quebec tightens control over its newcomer intake. In a pivotal move, Quebec’s Immigration Minister, Jean-François Roberge, announced the temporary suspension of two major immigration routes. This decision, outlined on social media Wednesday evening, aims to “better regulate” the flow of new arrivals into Quebec, currently led by Premier François Legault. The suspension involves two key paths to obtaining a Quebec Selection Certificate, an essential step toward permanent residency in Canada.
Under the new regulations, Quebec will stop processing new applications for the Regular Skilled Workers Program. Likewise, the Quebec Experience Program, which caters to recent grads, will also be temporarily halted. The pauses took effect on Thursday. Minister Roberge mentioned on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the government is seriously contemplating reducing permanent immigration. “Our primary objective is straightforward: we seek effective tools to manage immigration in Quebec more efficiently,” he noted.
These program suspensions are set to continue until June 30, 2025, during which time Quebec plans to develop a comprehensive long-term immigration strategy. The government expects this move to also impact the “volume of admissions” projected for 2026. “While our focus is on 2025, we are also ensuring enough flexibility for future strategy,” Roberge explained to the press at the National Assembly on Thursday. This development is the latest in the government’s efforts to control the number of newcomers to this region. Earlier this month, legislation was introduced to limit the influx of international students.
This legislative effort is part of a broader plan to decrease the number of non-permanent residents in Quebec, a number that has surged to 600,000 over the past two years.
Moreover, the Legault administration has applied restrictions on the entry of temporary foreign workers for low-wage roles in Montreal, instituting a six-month freeze starting in September.
Quebec’s Immigration Strategy Deemed Insufficient by Federal Authorities
In the ongoing immigration debate between Quebec and the Canadian government, there has been heightened tension over who should have the authority to decide immigration policies. Quebec has been lobbying Ottawa for greater autonomy in determining who can reside in the province, and has called for asylum seekers to be relocated to other parts of Canada. In light of these demands, the Canadian government has agreed to lower its immigration intake by reducing the number of new permanent residents by 21% for the upcoming year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with Immigration Minister Marc Miller, acknowledged that the current policies were not adequately adjusted following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quebec’s representative, Roberge, weighed in on the matter by stating, “Although we believe further actions are necessary, Ottawa has made some adjustments,” in reference to the newly revised immigration targets.
Earlier this week, Marc Miller addressed this issue, pointing out that while Quebec holds the authority to manage certain immigration categories, the province has failed to present a comprehensive immigration strategy, despite Ottawa’s repeated requests over several months.
“I am eager to see their educational initiative planned for next year, but as it stands, it is lacking completeness,” Miller stated.
“We have been urging Mr. Legault to present a detailed plan concerning the reduction of temporary residents, a matter he has consistently advocated for, yet we are still waiting on his proposal.”
Miller stressed the importance of a “federal commitment” to attracting French-speaking immigrants to other Canadian regions, especially in areas experiencing population decline.
“I am ready to stand by those communities should they feel neglected in this initiative,” Miller conveyed.
Rising Concerns About Employment Sector Impacts
PL Immigration has voiced significant apprehension regarding the recent decision by the province to impose a moratorium. The organization emphasized that the government failed to consult with businesses before halting two critical programs, which may lead to considerable repercussions across various regions in Quebec. These areas, which have economies that largely depend on the manufacturing industry, are already struggling to fill 13,000 vacant positions. The recent restrictions on immigration could further hamper operations and reduce productivity in these sectors.
Julie White, the Vice President of Public Affairs, shared her concerns, noting, “We’ve already been dealing with reduced numbers of temporary foreign workers, and now the limited availability of skilled laborers who can aid our industries is becoming a serious issue.”
This situation poses significant challenges for industries that depend on the skills of both local and international workers. It underscores the urgent need for strategic policy decisions that reflect and support the economic requirements of these communities.
— Information compiled from journalists Phil Carpenter and Uday Rana from Global, in conjunction with The Canadian Press.
