Hundreds rallied in seven Quebec cities, including Gatineau, Montreal, and Quebec City, to oppose the provincial government’s decision to eliminate the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) immigration pathway.

PEQ Abolition Leaves Workers in Limbo

The province ended the PEQ in November, stranding thousands of temporary workers and compelling some to leave for their home countries. This streamlined program granted permanent residency to qualified individuals with sufficient French proficiency and relevant experience.

Mariia Kolosova, who relocated from Ukraine in 2023, pursued French studies and secured tourism sector employment to meet PEQ requirements. She aimed to apply after gaining experience, but the sudden suspension halted her plans. “The reason I came to Quebec, one of the reasons, was [because] my chances were quite high,” Kolosova stated at the Montreal rally. “Ukrainians, many of us, we don’t have a place to [go] back to. It’s not that easy to change your life from [scratch] again.”

New PSTQ Program Sparks Criticism

Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge introduced the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) as a replacement. This points-based system favors applicants in regional areas outside Montreal and prioritizes sectors such as health care and education.

Florent Pigeyre, an advisor for French citizens abroad, assists Montreal newcomers in organizing a lawsuit against the government. “I see a lot of [immigrants] contact me because the families are breaking apart, because they have to separate and go back to their country of origin,” he said. “It was not the plan. It’s not what had been sold to them from the Quebec government.”

Pigeyre noted many arrived following provincial recruitment drives promising PEQ opportunities, only to face altered criteria under the PSTQ.

Aram Musco, a student from France now in Montreal, faces uncertain prospects. “The main thing is it’s quite hard to anticipate the next steps,” he explained. “With the PSTQ, what’s quite difficult to manage and understand is that the criteria can evolve.” Musco emphasized that PEQ’s French requirements already protected the language and highlighted immigrants’ economic contributions.

Political and Community Support for Protesters

Quebec Liberal and Québec solidaire MNAs, alongside municipal leaders and unions, joined the demonstrations. They demand exemptions for those already in Quebec to apply via PEQ, a call echoed by business groups.

At the Quebec City event, Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Sol Zanetti stressed, “We need to ensure stability for the people who come here… and that we ensure as well stability for all public services.”

In Gatineau, Liberal MNA André Fortin remarked, “The CAQ government has started to blame immigration for all of Quebec’s problems, whether it’s housing, whether it’s health care or education. And that’s simply not the case.” He aimed to reassure immigrants of their welcome.

Government Defends PSTQ Plans

Officials maintain the PSTQ will welcome around 29,000 economic immigrants annually. Minister Roberge rejects PEQ exemptions, though applications submitted before abolition continue processing.