Who's in charge? Legault's exit leaves Quebec's immigration process, budget in limbo

The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) leadership race has clouded the future of Quebec's immigration pathways and the expected release of the provincial budget.

While the Quebec Liberals have announced their new leader, the race between former CAQ cabinet ministers Christine Fréchette and Bernard Drainville won't be finalized until April 12. 

Outgoing Premier François Legault said in January that he would resign after serving as the head of the CAQ — the party he co-founded — since its inception. 

Here's why immigration and the provincial budget remain up in the air while the party chooses its next leader — and the next Quebec premier.

Applicants for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) — a pathway to permanent residency for economic immigrants — remain in limbo as CAQ leadership candidates debate whether to grant exemptions or temporarily reopen the program.

The Legault government abolished the PEQ in November 2025, making the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) the only route for those wishing to settle in Quebec for economic reasons. 

Quebec said it would continue to process PEQ applications received before the fast-track program ended, but they would be evaluated based on criteria for the PSTQ.

Officials from Montreal, Quebec City, and Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Que., called on the provincial government to make an exception for pending PEQ applicants, especially much-needed skilled workers, since they have already joined the workforce. 

Jean-François Blanchard, president of the Association of Private Long-Term Care Facilities of Quebec, said at a news conference last Wednesday that the PEQ uncertainty has shaken 655 workers of the association's facilities. 

"It is truly a shame to cause such anxiety for a population that stepped up to help us, especially after COVID," Blanchard said. 

He and elected officials, including mayors of big cities, have expressed concern over these workers leaving Quebec for Ontario — where their residency application might be processed faster.  

Former Quebec economy minister Christine Fréchette said if she becomes leader, she would reopen the PEQ for two years to exempt applicants who were in Quebec before the government abolished the program. She also said she would reduce invitations under the PSTQ by the same number to respect the province's immigration targets.

Meanwhile, Bernard Drainville — Quebec's former environment minister — promised to exempt French-speaking skilled workers in health care, education, construction and specialized manufacturing who settled in Quebec before the program's end. 

Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge has said he ordered a study of the "various transitional measures" for economic immigration pathways in Quebec in light of his ministry abolishing the PEQ.