Province will launch consultation with public
The Quebec government has announced proposed changes to its immigration policy that include significant reductions to both temporary and permanent immigration levels between 2026 and 2029.
For the first time, the Quebec government is introducing targets for temporary immigration and proposing a “responsible reduction” of immigrants in the province.
It proposes a 13% decrease in the number of permit holders under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Student Program (ISSP) by 2029 compared to 2024 levels. According to the ministry, the aim is to “ease pressure on Quebec’s reception and integration capacity.”
In addition to the temporary immigration cap, three scenarios for reducing permanent immigration levels have been put forward:
The government said it will prioritise the selection of candidates already residing in Quebec who speak French and meet labour market needs.
Public consultations on the guidelines will be held before the government finalises its multi-year immigration plan.
The development happens even as 91% of hotels in the province are struggling to hire staff for the summer season, following previously announced limits to workers’ access to the TFWP, according to a survey from the Association hôtellerie du Québec (AHQ).
As part of its long-term immigration strategy, the government also confirmed that invitations under the new Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWPQ) will begin in July 2025. These will target individuals already living in Quebec, particularly those with regional work or study experience, who are French-speaking and employed in in-demand occupations. Exceptional talent will also be considered.
Two ministerial orders have also been issued to manage the intake of applications in certain permanent immigration programs. These include an extension of the suspension of applications under the Quebec Graduates stream of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) and a new suspension for the Temporary Foreign Workers stream of the PEQ. Both suspensions will remain in effect until 30 November 2025.
Additionally, the government has extended the suspension of applications under the Refugee Abroad Program (Group Sponsorship) until 31 December 2027. The province cited the growing number of asylum seekers and refugees already present in Quebec as justification for focusing integration efforts locally.
Applications already submitted under the affected streams will continue to be processed. Requests to add dependent family members are not affected by the suspensions.
Individuals wishing to be considered under the SWPQ must declare their interest through Quebec’s Arrima system. Those who submitted a declaration prior to 29 November 2024 will need to update their profiles to remain eligible for upcoming invitation rounds. Applications already filed under the now-defunct Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) will continue to be reviewed according to the program’s original criteria.
Late in 2024, Quebec announced a shift in its immigration strategy with the implementation of the new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ).
A couple of stakeholders have expressed criticism of Quebec;s immigration plans.
Véronique Proulx, president and executive director of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, said the ideas the CAQ government put forward today were surprising and disappointing, according to a CBC report.
"There's really a disconnect between what the government is proposing today and what the companies in the regions of Quebec, but also in Montreal and Laval, are asking for," Proulx said. "The number one thing they're asking for is more immigration — temporary immigration but permanent immigration as well."
Arcelle Appolon, executive director of Maison d'Haïti in Montreal, argued that the government's immigration targets were "not realistic simply because for the past couple of years, the thresholds have not been respected."
"We are quite aware of the reality of what happens when people come and when we hear their stories, we see that the [government] narrative that is currently in place differs greatly from what they're telling us," she said in the same report. "We do hope that the government chooses to re-evaluate their numbers and consider the experts' opinions on the topic."
Ottawa has made numerous changes to the TFWP in the past year.
