Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette presented two documents to the National Assembly today. The compendium of Quebec immigration statistics and the consultation paper should guide future discussions on immigration rates in the province.
It will be necessary to wait to know the final goal of the Legault government as it needs to hear the opinion of experts and organizations before participating in the public consultation due to take place early next autumn.
However, the two documents set the tone for Quebec’s priorities.
Two scenarios
The first scenario envisages a gradual increase in the admission thresholds to 60,000 in 2027, increased immigration of skilled workers and a freeze on family reunification.
Additionally, admission to the Quebec Graduates component of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) would be continuous and outside the cap. For PEQ applicants — who are already residents of Quebec and speak French, Quebec argues — the total number of permanent immigrants should exceed the 60,000 target.
Scenario 1: New admissions 2024-2027
2024: 50,000
2025: 54,000
2026: 57,000
2027: 60,000
The first strand aims to achieve a selection made up exclusively of adult immigrants with French language skills in economic immigration programs and to increase the proportion of adults who report having French language skills at admission.
The second scenario proposes leaving the admission threshold at 50,000 for the four years of the multi-annual plan. The approvals made in the PEQ Diplômés du Québec section would be included in the targets, we read in the guidance book.
The MIFI is also submitting twelve guidelines, which represent as many discussion points for the upcoming public consultation.
This is particularly true of the French language, both in immigration and in the Frenchization of Quebec, the selection of newcomers, the recognition of skills and the regionalization of immigrants.
Prime Minister François Legault and Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette will hold a press conference early this afternoon.
More details to come.