(QUEBEC CITY) Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand says the province’s latest immigration policies are failing residents and newcomers alike, warning that recent cuts and the end of a key fast‑track program risk weakening the provincial capital’s economy and social fabric.
“We have to do better,” Marchand said, in a pointed message to the Quebec government over its tightening approach to who can settle in the province and how they can stay. His comments come as Premier François Legault’s administration, led on this file by Immigration Minister Jean‑François Roberge, moves ahead with plans to sharply reduce both permanent and temporary immigration over the next few years.
New immigration targets and intended rationale
Under the new plan, Quebec intends to cut permanent immigration levels to about 45,000 people per year from 2026 to 2029 — a drop from previous, higher targets that business groups had long argued were already too low for an aging population.
At the same time, the government is aiming for a 13% reduction in temporary immigrants by 2029, seeking to bring the total number of temporary residents down from 565,000 to around 200,000, with a particular focus on Montreal and Laval.
Officials say the changes are needed to:
- Protect French
- Reduce pressure on housing
- Ease demand on public services
Impact and concerns in Quebec City
For Quebec City — which has been courting international talent to fill jobs and keep neighbourhoods alive — the shift feels risky. Marchand’s call to “do better” reflects growing concern among municipal leaders, employers, and immigrant advocates that the province’s new immigration policies are out of step with economic needs and with the reality of labour shortages in almost every sector.
Many local officials argue welcoming more people, especially French‑speaking workers and graduates, is essential to keep the city competitive with other regions of Canada 🇨🇦.
Closure of the PEQ and immediate effects
Tension over the new direction intensified when the government decided to permanently shut down the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) on November 19, 2025.
The PEQ had been seen as one of Quebec’s most predictable immigration pathways. It allowed international graduates and temporary foreign workers who had already integrated into the labour market to move more quickly toward permanent residence. Its closure removed what many saw as a clear bridge from temporary status to a stable future in the province.
Human consequences
- Thousands of students and workers who built plans around the PEQ now face sudden uncertainty.
- People are pushed into slower, more complex routes with shifting criteria and longer wait times.
- Immigration lawyers report clients fearing that a minor paperwork mistake or a rule change could force them to leave Quebec after years of working, studying, and paying taxes.
- Some are already considering moving to other provinces with more predictable permanent residence routes.
“We have to do better.” — Bruno Marchand
For many, that is not just a political sound bite but a plea for predictable, fair pathways to stay.
Business and political reactions
Business leaders have publicly criticized the changes. Julie White, president of Manufacturiers et Exportateurs du Québec, warned the government is making an already serious labour shortage worse. She noted 11,000 manufacturing jobs are currently vacant and said:
“When we can’t fill these jobs, production slows, investments are delayed, and contracts move elsewhere.”
Opposition politicians also condemned the move. Guillaume Cliche‑Rivard (Québec solidaire’s immigration critic and a former immigration lawyer) called scrapping the PEQ a “bad decision” and a “lack of vision” that deprives Quebec of talented immigrants who are already contributing in French.
Community and advocacy concerns
Beyond headline changes to targets and programs, the constant policy shifts have a human cost. Community groups report:
- Immigrants struggling to keep up with rule changes that seem to arrive every few months.
- Families worried that a missed email or a late document could lead to loss of status and possible deportation.
- Strong fear among temporary workers and students who no longer see a stable transition to permanent residence.
Immigrant advocacy groups in Quebec City are trying to calm anxious clients while pressing the government for more predictable rules and clear transition measures for those already in the system. They argue that students who came to Quebec on the promise of a certain immigration pathway should not have rules changed halfway through their studies or work permits.
Government position and legal framework
The Quebec government says it is acting within its special powers under the Canada–Quebec Accord, which gives the province wide control over who it selects for permanent immigration and allows prioritization of French‑speaking applicants.
At the federal level, Ottawa is also reducing temporary immigration — including caps on some foreign worker and student categories — broadly aligning with Quebec’s tougher stance. Critics warn that when both levels tighten simultaneously, the combined effect is much harsher on people than either government admits.
Analysis and competitive implications
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Quebec’s approach marks a clear turn away from earlier years when the province promoted itself heavily to international students and workers, often highlighting the PEQ as a fast, practical path to settle.
With the PEQ gone and numbers falling, experts warn Quebec City and other regions may lose out to provinces that still offer more welcoming and stable routes to permanent residence. Some employers in the capital report candidates choosing jobs in Ontario or Western Canada rather than navigating Quebec’s changing system.
What officials say now
Officials at the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration insist they are still welcoming newcomers and point to selection programs that remain open. They say the focus is now on:
- Better French skills
- Stronger income and education thresholds
- Alignment with specific labour‑market needs
Detailed information on current programs, selection criteria, and language requirements is available on the province’s official immigration portal at quebec.ca.
Local stakes and the mayor’s call
For Marchand and other local leaders, the debate is not only about numbers, but about what kind of city Quebec City wants to be in coming decades.
They worry that without a steady inflow of immigrants, the city may face:
- Shrinking school enrolments
- Closed shops on commercial streets
- Longer hospital wait times due to staff shortages
In that context, the mayor’s call to “do better” is a call for renewed balance: one that protects French and social cohesion, but also keeps doors open to the workers, students, and families who want to make Quebec City their home.
Quebec’s government will cut permanent immigration to about 45,000 annually (2026–2029) and reduce temporary residents by 13%, targeting near 200,000. The province closed the PEQ on Nov. 19, 2025, removing a fast pathway for graduates and temporary workers. Municipal leaders, businesses and advocates warn the changes risk labour shortages, economic slowdown and uncertainty for newcomers. Officials emphasize French skills and stricter thresholds; critics call for predictable, balanced policies to retain talent.
