Quebec to Admit 29,000 Economic Immigrants Annually, Says Immigration Minister

Quebec’s Immigration Minister, Jean-François Roberge, recently unveiled a significant economic immigration initiative aimed at increasing the province’s workforce. Starting immediately, the new program will allow up to 29,000 economic immigrants annually.

Details of the New Immigration Program

The program, officially named the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), focuses on skill-based immigration. Under this initiative, the government plans to issue permanent residency invitations on a monthly basis until the annual quota is met.

Current Progress

So far in 2023, the ministry has already sent out invitations to 2,549 applicants. Roberge emphasized that this structured approach brings predictability for those aspiring to settle in Quebec permanently. The ministry stated, “With invitations sent on a regular basis and according to clear guidelines, we offer predictability to individuals.”

Priority Categories for 2026

As part of the efforts to streamline the selection process, the government has outlined priority categories for 2026. These include:

• Graduates from Quebec educational institutions.
• Professionals in strategic sectors, including health, education, construction, early childhood, and engineering.
• Individuals demonstrating a strong potential for economic and linguistic integration based on a ranking system.

Demographics of Current Invitations

Among the individuals invited this year, nearly two-thirds are alumni from Quebec institutions. Additionally, 32.7 percent are employed in one of the identified strategic sectors. Notably, 65.9 percent reside outside the Montreal and Laval areas, reflecting the program’s intention to diversify immigration across the province.

Impact of Recent Policy Changes

The PSTQ program replaces the previous Programme de l’expérience Québécoise (PEQ), which was in effect since 2010. The cancellation of PEQ sparked considerable backlash from advocacy groups, who argued that it adversely affected thousands already living in the province.

This new approach, while addressing the labor market needs of Quebec, aims to create a more predictable process for potential immigrants. The government remains committed to fulfilling its immigration targets while ensuring that the needs of the provincial economy are met.