The Legault government wants to open the floodgates of permanent immigration to Francophones and is banking on Quebec graduates. Major reforms to skilled worker programs are also on the cards, he said.
Regarding the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), it is proposed that the selection criteria be lightened for graduates, but they could also be admitted “continuously and outside the ceiling”, according to the preparatory documents tabled at the Assembly. national campaign by the Minister of Immigration, Christine Fréchette. In the second scenario proposed, admissions made in the “Quebec graduates” component of the PEQ would be included in the targets.
In recent weeks, Minister Fréchette had reiterated that “international students, particularly those who speak French, are a source of wealth for Quebec” and had announced that she was analyzing programs to promote Francophone immigration.
The changes she proposes to the Quebec experience program consist of removing criteria, in particular on post-graduation work experience of at least one year for foreign students, and sweeps away part of the controversial reform carried out by Simon Jolin-Barrette at the time.
“Candidates would no longer have to have the required work experience or the obligation to be employed at the time of the application,” reads the CAQ government’s proposal.
The “worker” component of the PEQ is not subject to change.
The changes come as the PEQ, a fast track for permanent immigration for people with a good level of French, has seen a drastic drop in admissions, revealed The duty last month. They were four times less numerous in 2022 than in 2021.
Promote Francophone economic immigration
Quebec has also announced its intention to strengthen certain selection conditions in economic immigration programs to favor “adults who already know French”. Major reforms are to be expected of the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) and programs targeting investors and entrepreneurs.
The Department of Immigration also wishes, with the collaboration of the federal government, that applications for selection and permanent residence be processed within 12 months.
More details will follow.