A star on page 59 i Consultation project book just published, as the one found in the general conditions for the purchase of a performance or flight ticket, which can have a major effect in the event of cancellation or change.
Indeed, taking this essential information into account, the Legault government plans to raise the thresholds for permanent immigration to a level that goes well beyond 60,000 admissions by 2027. You’re right.
François Legault recognized it without hesitation in response to a question at a press conference.
What would the actual number of immigrants be in the end? Difficult to determine with precision. However, with this data, this goal should increase significantly by a few thousand people. At least.
Almost 70,000 immigrants could be admitted
Usually every three years the government presents its guidelines, its will, its goals with regard to immigration. These items are released prior to a public hearing and stakeholders can share their opinions, comments and suggestions.
Normally, as is the case in any immigration plan, those selected for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) – who are already living, working or studying in Quebec – are part of the section Skilled workers
. A category that the CAQ government particularly targets, as it can impose criteria for knowledge of the French language.
Exceptionally, this year, therefore, Quebec has published an incomplete accounting portrait, although the CAQ idea is not a shadow of a doubt.
” Foreign students who have graduated from our French-language programs seem to us to be ideal candidates. »
In this consultation book, Prime Minister Legault praises French-speaking foreign students. These people constitute a unique pool from which to recruit new Quebecers
, he wrote. A repeated enthusiasm in front of the media.
Moreover, last fall, a few weeks after having is considered “suicidal” to host more than 50,000 immigrants annually in Quebec, François Legault had changed his tone. As revealed by Radio-Canadahis government claimed behind the scenes that it was finally open to an increase in targets, especially for French-speaking students.
The idea presented this week is therefore not a surprise.
Another scenario for the form?
Exceptionally, Quebec presented two scenarios for the next permanent immigration targets. An increase in the thresholds or the status quo, with 50,000 admissions annually, until 2027.
The consultations at the end of the summer should help the government in its decision-making. But the chances of seeing the status quo option succeed are almost nil, according to our information.
In government, whether in François Legault’s entourage or with Christine Fréchette, the immigration minister, the idea of an increase in economic immigration has all the merits. Public discussions should also go in the same direction, as business defends this scenario.
No limit for French-speaking students
Almost 26,000 people have benefited PEQ – Candidates
between 2018 and 2021, including more than 8000 over the last year. A decrease was then observed last yearwith the implementation of the reforms by the former Minister of Immigration, Simon Jolin-Barrette, who wanted to limit access to this program, which was considered too popular by requiring work experience.
Number of Quebec Selection Certificates issued to PEQ – Graduates
- 2018: 5146
- 2019: 4867
- 2020: 8088
- 2021: 8068
- 2022: 1958
However, the Legault government has just made skip all locks restrict access to PEQ. It will therefore be easier and faster for these students to stay in Quebec without worrying about renewing their permit.
These changes were requested by the business and education communities, which compete with many Canadian provinces and countries to attract international students and talent.
The number of foreign students in Quebec has also reached a record level this year. There were more than 54,000 in universities and around 7,000 in CEGEPs. That’s more than 61,000 people.
Conjugated to the increase in the admission rate of French-speaking African students (New window) in Quebec, highly valued by regional CEGEPs, the number of candidates for PEQ may therefore soon reach new growth.
Québec aims in its orientations ongoing hospitalization
of these students. There would be no limits.
It is therefore not an illusion to believe that the real immigration thresholds can rise to 70,000 immigrants annually. That is roughly the proposal of the Liberal Party of Quebec and Quebec solidaire during the last election campaign.
Why not mention it clearly in Consultation project book? In the corridors of the National Assembly, there is talk of voluntary creative accounting, political games, a sensitive debate and even fears of a new rise in the Parti Québécois opinion polls, which is the only one clearly against raising the thresholds.
Thresholds that will be, no matter what happens, historic. And that doesn’t take into account the roughly 346,000 temporary immigrants in Quebec at the moment.
