Quebec immigration minister says Ottawa 'insensitive' to temporary workers' distress

Quebec Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge is responding to public outcry against his government’s policy changes for non-permanent residents by making a plea to the federal government. 

Roberge is asking for an exemption allowing non-permanent residents living outside Montreal and Laval and affected by the elimination of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) to renew their work permits and remain in the province pending the assessment of their immigration applications.

“We need a grandfather clause that would allow our temporary workers from outside Montreal and Laval to renew their permits,” Roberge wrote in a lengthy Facebook post published on Friday.

“The federal government did not follow up on this request and remains insensitive to the distress of these people.”

His request comes at a time when the Canadian government is aiming to bring immigration to “more sustainable levels.”

In November, the Quebec government reduced its immigration targets for the next four years to 45,000 new permanent residents annually —  an important drop from the 61,000 who are expected in Quebec this year. 

Since the CAQ government abolished the PEQ, many non-permanent residents worry they will be forced to leave the country have voiced their concerns publicly.

Protests against the removal of the PEQ — organized by immigration advocacy group Le Québec c’est nous aussi (LQCNA) — were held in November at the Quebec Immigration Ministry’s office in downtown Montreal and in front of the National Assembly in Quebec City.

Until recently, the PEQ was a fast-track path for temporary foreign workers and Quebec graduates to get a Quebec Selection Certificate, which people seeking to settle in the province need to obtain permanent residency from the federal government. 

However, Quebec’s remaining Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) is reportedly more restrictive, leaving many workers uncertain about their future.

“We must analyze each case carefully, ensure good governance, and do things the right way,” Roberge wrote. 

Joël Lightbound, federal procurement minister and Quebec lieutenant, took issue with Roberge's stance.

“Our government, as well as Quebecers, want a collaborative approach between Ottawa and Quebec rather than pointing fingers at each other,” he said in an interview with Radio-Canada. 

In a statement sent to Radio-Canada, Lightbound noted that the federal government made known its intention to limit the number of non-permanent residents in the country as early as 2024, at the request of Quebec, which demanded that its capacity to integrate newcomers be respected.