Quebec immigration threshold | ” All that for this “

For several organizations that closely follow the immigration issue, the threshold of 50,000 caused a surprise, tinged with disappointment, because the directions announced by Prime Minister François Legault go in the opposite direction of the very clear consensus which was released from the extensive consultations carried out by his Minister of Immigration, Christine Fréchette. The Press received some comments.

“It’s a little surprising”

Stéphanie Valois, co-president of the Quebec Association of Immigration Lawyers:

“We are a little disappointed since, according to my understanding, the vast majority, if not all, of the stakeholders who participated in the consultations on immigration planning advocated an increase in the threshold. So, it’s as if it hadn’t been heard. It’s a bit surprising, actually, especially when you look at all the briefs that have been filed. We say to ourselves: all that for that. »

“We think we needed to move”

Stéphane Paquet, CEO of Montréal international:

“I think we would have sent a positive signal to English-speaking students who speak French if we had allowed them to be part of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). We are a little disappointed at this level. We also took a position for 60,000 and not 50,000. We, at Montréal International, think we had to move on this because the government wants to regionalize immigration. If there are more immigrants in the region and we do not increase the threshold, we must take them from Greater Montreal. And two-thirds of vacant positions in companies currently are positions in Greater Montreal. »

“We are very concerned”

Stephan Reichhold, director of the Table de concertation des organizations serving refugees and immigrants:

“We are very concerned about the part of humanitarian immigration which is stagnating with regard to places, when we know that there are tens of thousands of recognized refugees on site and humanitarian cases, who already have Quebec selection certificates (CSQ) and who are waiting on shelves at the federal level to obtain their permanent residence. »

“Not at all acceptable”

Claire Launay, president of Le Québec, c’est nous aussi:

“We were disappointed to see that after a consultation of more than 70 groups, in September and October, there was a consensus that had emerged for an increase in the thresholds to 60,000, but, ultimately, the government decided not to listen to this consensus. So, that raises the question of the consultation process. In addition, there is a total absence of change and announcement regarding family reunification, asylum seekers and humanitarian immigrants. These are very vulnerable people who, given the current thresholds, wait years to be accepted. For us, this is not acceptable at all. »