In November, the Quebec government eliminated the popular pathway to permanent residency, the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ). This change aims to give the government more control over the settlement of individuals in the province. However, for many newcomers, this alteration signifies dashed hopes of establishing themselves in Quebec, leading to feelings of betrayal and uncertainty about their future. The discontent among newcomers is not just because of the abolition of the PEQ but also due to the province’s refusal to allow existing newcomers to apply for the now-defunct program.
Advocates for an exemption for these individuals have persistently voiced their concerns, but the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government has remained uncompromising. Despite the government’s firm stance, various factors indicate that this issue will persist for some time.
Nadir Belaid, a corporate paralegal who moved to Quebec from Algeria in late 2019, finds his future in the province now in jeopardy. Belaid, a spokesperson for the group Le Quebec, c’est nous aussi, which translates to “We are also part of Quebec,” expressed feeling completely let down and abandoned by the authorities.
Following the discontinuation of the PEQ, immigrants seeking to settle in Quebec for economic reasons now have the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) as the sole available pathway. This new system evaluates the education, French-language proficiency, and work experience of temporary residents on a 1,200-point scale, determining their eligibility for a Quebec Selection Certificate and eventual permanent residency. However, Quebec Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge emphasized that there are no guarantees for those previously reliant on the PEQ to obtain the certificate.
Ben Mahi, a lab technician also from Algeria, criticized the government for reneging on its promises, stating that individuals were encouraged to come to Quebec, learn French, and then abruptly told they were no longer needed. The sense of betrayal experienced by Belaid, Mahi, and others has galvanized them to continue advocating for their rights.
The discontent extends beyond newcomers, with widespread public support for those affected by the end of the PEQ program from unions, business groups, and prominent mayors in Quebec. Efforts to address the concerns of affected individuals have been made by figures like Montreal’s Soraya Martinez Ferrada and Quebec City’s Bruno Marchand, who believe that the province is disregarding valuable contributors to the economy.
With the upcoming change in leadership as François Legault steps down, business groups plan to make immigration policies a key election issue. Calls for the reinstatement of the PEQ program have been echoed by Guillaume Cliche-Rivard from opposition party Québec Solidaire, underscoring the importance of maintaining an open dialogue under the new leadership.
