Quebec's Immigration Overhaul Excludes Grandfather Clause for PEQ Workers
Quebec Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge has firmly rejected implementing a grandfather clause for temporary workers who arrived in the province under the now-defunct Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ). This decision comes despite significant backlash from various stakeholders concerned about the future of these workers.
Minister Addresses Anxiety Over Program Changes
At a recent news conference, Minister Roberge acknowledged the widespread anxiety surrounding the abolition of the PEQ program while outlining details of the new Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ). "I am aware that in this period of change... there are people who are feeling worried," Roberge stated. "There are people who are experiencing anxiety, people who are here on Quebec territory who want to remain here."
The minister's announcement followed expressions of concern from mayors, unions, community groups, and employers who fear losing valuable workers who might not qualify for permanent residency under the new selection criteria.
Strategic Shift in Immigration Selection
Roberge explained that the PSTQ was developed as a replacement for the PEQ to enable more strategic approval of applicants based on Quebec's specific labor-market requirements. The previous PEQ system operated on a first-come, first-served basis, which the minister argued could have allowed applications from unemployed or low-skilled individuals to take precedence over essential workers.
"That would have meant allowing applications from unemployed people or low-skilled individuals to go ahead of healthcare workers, ahead of nurses, ahead of orderlies, ahead of teachers, ahead of skilled trades workers who are essential," Roberge emphasized during the conference.
New Program Structure and Selection Criteria
The PSTQ features four distinct streams for applicants:
- Highly qualified and specialized skills
- Intermediate and manual skills
- Regulated professions in Québec
- Exceptional talent
Temporary workers must now submit a declaration of interest, after which they may receive an invitation to apply based on a comprehensive scoring system. This evaluation considers multiple factors including work experience, age, and French language proficiency among other criteria.
Annual Immigration Targets and Initial Results
Approximately 29,000 economic immigrants will be accepted annually under the new PSTQ program, with invitations being sent at the end of each month beginning immediately. For the initial year, priority will be given to specific categories of applicants:
- Individuals who obtained diplomas in Quebec
- Workers in strategic sectors including healthcare, education, early childhood, construction, and engineering
- Diversified profiles demonstrating strong potential for economic and linguistic integration
In the first round of invitations for 2026, 2,549 people received selection notices. The breakdown reveals:
- 1,630 workers (64.5%) holding Quebec diplomas
- 828 workers (32.7%) employed in priority sectors
- 20 individuals selected for exceptional talent
- 1,667 invitations (65.9%) sent to people living outside Montreal and Laval
Regional Distribution and Ministerial Confidence
The distribution of invitations beyond major urban centers reflects the government's commitment to addressing labor needs across Quebec's regions. Minister Roberge expressed confidence that the new program details would provide reassurance to both businesses and individuals affected by the immigration policy changes.
"I am confident that the information I am providing is reassuring and will help reassure businesses and individuals," Roberge concluded, acknowledging the transitional challenges while emphasizing the strategic benefits of the new selection approach.
