The Legault government announced several changes to economic immigration programs on Thursday, as well as scenarios for new thresholds that will soon be submitted for consultation. Quebec is thus activating several levers at its disposal to tighten the criteria for knowledge of the French language.
Thresholds
Quebec opens the door to an increase of 60,000 new permanent residents admitted per year. This is one of the two scenarios that will soon be submitted for public consultation in order to submit its multi-year plan.
In this first scenario, foreign graduates in Quebec would be admitted in addition, without counting in this threshold.
The other option is to maintain this threshold at 50,000 landed immigrants, approximately the annual number since 2009.
Fast track for international students
First important change of the announced reforms, foreign students who study in French or who are French-speaking will benefit from reductions to promote their retention. Instead of the 12 or 18 months of work experience currently required, a Quebec graduate will be able to submit an application for permanent residence as soon as they complete their studies.
Those who do not attend French-language establishments will be able to prove that they still speak French by showing that they have successfully completed at least three years of secondary or post-secondary studies in that language.
French for all economic immigrants
French becomes an unavoidable requirement, regardless of the economic immigration program, except for exceptional talents.
Currently, one of the two largest access routes, the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ), operated by points, but without qualifying criteria.
Knowledge of French gave a significant advantage, but it was possible to present a less advanced level for certain candidates, in particular having a lot of “points” for their training, their professional experience or their adequacy with the needs of the market.
After this overhaul, the PRTQ will be replaced by the new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) which will require an oral level 7 for people exercising skilled professions.
This is what is currently required in the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), the other major program for economic immigration. This level of 7, out of 12 potential levels, corresponds to “intermediate”, or the ability to hold a conversation in a predictable context about current and concrete needs. In writing, the required level will be 5, both for the PEQ and the new PSTQ.
Oral level 7 will also be required for investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed workers.
New gateway for less or low-skilled temporary workers
A section of the PSTQ will be reserved for people in jobs requiring intermediate and manual skills, with modulated oral French requirements. The level will now be 5 (out of 12), i.e. the beginning of an intermediate mastery of the language.
The Legault government is thus creating a bridge for low-skilled temporary foreign workers, after excluding them from access routes in 2018, more and more of whom are staying in Quebec year-round.
Small expansion to the Quebec Experience Program
For the temporary worker component of the PEQ, Quebec includes an additional job category. It includes occupations that do not require a college diploma, but rather on-the-job training of more than 6 months or an apprenticeship of less than two years.
These professions include, for example, bakers, orderlies, nursing aides, medical laboratory assistants, truck drivers and many others.
Francization commitment in family reunification
It is Ottawa that determines the selection criteria for this category, but Quebec is responsible for studying and following up on the commitment requests.
Family reunification allows permanent residents or citizens already in the country to vouch for a member of their family. With the reform, the Legault government will add the obligation to present an integration plan which will have to include francization courses.