Quebec is determined at all costs to maintain its immigration thresholds at current levels despite a labor shortage that is not about to be reduced.
In a review interview with The dutythe Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity justifies his government’s intention to maintain the current rate of intake, despite the accumulation of vacant positions — there were more than 224,000 in the first quarter of 2022. “Me, I’ve always said: ‘the thresholds don’t move’”, he repeats.
“We still have work to integrate, to improve the problems of overqualification. […] It is: “to take care of it”, adds the minister, echoing the electoral leitmotif of his political formation in 2018.
In May, Minister Boulet opened the door to revise upwards the cap on migratory entries. A study by demographer Marc Termote then recommended that he increase the thresholds by 8,000 new arrivals in five years. After calling this analysis “reasoned and reasonable”, Mr. Boulet had finally turned back on Twitter.
“I misspoke and was misunderstood when questioned by journalists. It is not acceptable to receive 58,000 immigrants each year,” he wrote.
The conversation about these thresholds has picked up again this year. While the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) favors the status quo, the Conseil du patronat du Québec recommends welcoming at least 80,000 immigrants annually, and even “striving towards” 100,000. The Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) has already got wet: a government led by Dominique Anglade would go up to 70,000 entries per year at the start of its mandate.
In terms of immigration, the CAQ favors a renegotiation of the Canada-Quebec agreement, which governs the division of powers between the two orders of government. She is also positioning herself in favor of the repatriation of family reunification programs and temporary foreign workers, because the federal government “is unable to deliver”, insists Jean Boulet.
“Admissions are done by Ottawa, and the thresholds are not even met at this time,” he says. According to the elected official responsible for the Mauricie region, the solutions to the labor shortage can be found everywhere: workers over 65, people with criminal records, people with disabilities… All you have to do is attract them with good incentives.
A few options
Among experienced workers, ie those who have passed retirement age, the popularity of the job market gives Mr. Boulet confidence. They were more than 194,000 workers aged 65 and over last month, or 20,000 more than three years ago. Intrigued by the productivity potential of this segment of the population, the minister does not rule out taking action to push back the retirement age. “We are in constant reflection,” he said.
Minister Boulet has already hinted that the labor shortage is here to stay, at least in the medium term. Based on the calculations of demographers, he anticipates a “historic low” in 2030.
“It is a phenomenon that is becoming more and more acute, which has been accentuated by the pandemic. And it will continue, ”he admits on the phone.
The elected caquiste is “not at all defeatist”. “Our employment rate among 15 to 64 year olds is still the highest in Canada,” he points out. The number of social assistance recipients has also fallen by 23% from January 2018 to January 2022, rejoices the minister.
Children behind the cash register
Only one thing bothers Jean Boulet: the use of under 14s on the labor market. The Act allows it, but this trend has accelerated too much for the taste of the member for Trois-Rivières. “The work of young people should never interfere with school perseverance. […] For me, I have already mentioned it, it is not normal for an 11-year-old to work,” he says.
Quebec does not have statistics on the employment of young people. Neither does Statistics Canada. But Mr. Boulet notes a rejuvenation of the pool of employees. “There are cases, for example in restaurants, where 11-year-olds can work in kitchens near equipment that may pose a certain danger,” he worries.
To better “supervise child labor”, the minister plans to legislate, if his party is returned to power in October.
The CAQ platform will be made public over the next few months. Already, the PLQ has presented its own, which provides for a holiday from contributions to the Quebec Pension Plan for 62-year-olds and childcare places at $8.70 “for all”.
Québec solidaire (QS), the Parti Québécois (PQ) and the Conservative Party of Québec (PCQ) have not tabled their electoral program either. QS has, however, pledged to require companies to provide four weeks of vacation per year to their employees after one year of service. The PQ plans in particular in its “national project” to “reform the process of recognition of diplomas”. The PCQ wishes, among other things, to revise upwards the tax credit for the extension of the career of experienced workers.