Montreal Protesters Urge Quebec Government to Reverse PEQ Abolition Decision
Hundreds of concerned individuals gathered in Montreal on Saturday afternoon to voice their opposition to the Quebec government's decision to abolish the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). The protesters, worried about their future in the province, called on Premier François Legault's administration to reverse its controversial move.
Grandfathering Rights Demanded for Existing Applicants
Protesters assembled outside the Immigration Ministry offices with a clear message: they want grandfathering rights for those who had already met PEQ criteria and established their lives in Quebec. Many participants expressed feeling betrayed after fulfilling their part of the immigration agreement.
"We fulfilled our part of the agreement by coming here, integrating, some of us learning the language, and now we feel like we're being left out," said one protester, capturing the sentiment of many in attendance.
Personal Stories Highlight Program's Impact
Damien, originally from Corsica, represents one of many affected individuals. Recruited two years ago by a Montreal school board to teach, he moved with his partner and student son, confident they would be accepted in Quebec after two years of work and integration.
"I'm 40 years old, my wife is a teacher, we have a son who's a student but, unfortunately, I don't have enough points to qualify for the Skilled Worker Selection Program," Damien explained, noting the PEQ's abolition has completely changed his family's prospects.
Aram Musco, who arrived from France in 2022, shared similar concerns. Despite speaking French, holding a part-time administrative job, possessing a bachelor's degree, and pursuing a master's at the Montreal Conservatory of Music, he now faces uncertainty about his immigration status.
"With this new program, I'm not even sure, like other students, that I'll be selected, that I'll ever be able to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate," Musco added.
Political Support and Broader Protests
The Montreal protest received support from opposition politicians. Liberal MNA André Albert Morin denounced what he called "an injustice" with devastating economic impacts across all Quebec regions.
"We can't do this to people who, in many cases, the Quebec government recruited from abroad," Morin stated alongside colleague Michelle Setlakwe.
Québec solidaire MNA Guillaume Cliche-Rivard echoed these sentiments, asserting that "hundreds of thousands of Quebecers support the return of the PEQ."
Similar rallies occurred simultaneously in:
- Quebec City
- Trois-Rivières
- Sherbrooke
- Chicoutimi
- Saguenay
- Gatineau
- Rimouski
Municipal Leaders Voice Concerns
In an open letter published Saturday morning, Union of Quebec Municipalities president Guillaume Tremblay denounced the PEQ abolition and demanded a grandfather clause to protect those already living in the province.
"There are citizens who were recruited from elsewhere to fill job vacancies in our region," Tremblay explained. "Then, in the middle of it all, the rules were changed. For us, it makes no sense."
Tremblay, who also serves as mayor of Mascouche, cited specific cases of affected workers, including a prison guard recruited to address labor shortages who now faces potential deportation.
The municipal leader emphasized that the new Quebec Territorial Solidarity Plan doesn't reflect ground realities and warned that eliminating these positions could jeopardize regional vitality across Quebec.
Broader Implications for Quebec's Future
Jacques Demers, president of the Quebec Federation of Municipalities, issued a heartfelt plea to the Legault government the previous day, emphasizing that Quebec's regions need immigrants to avoid "demographic decline" and "impoverishment."
Caroline Senneville, president of the Confederation of National Trade Unions, called the PEQ abolition "a grave injustice" that creates significant anxiety among affected individuals.
"You can't change the rules mid-game," Senneville argued. "You can decide on new rules for the future, but you can't go back on a promise."
The protest highlights growing tensions between immigration policy changes and the practical realities facing both newcomers and Quebec communities that depend on skilled workers to address labor shortages and maintain economic stability.
