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Today’s Topic: Suspension of Key Immigration Programs in Quebec

Today, the Quebec government announced that as part of a comprehensive reevaluation of its immigration strategy, the Legault government will suspend the issuance of the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), a crucial document for the immigration process for foreign students and economic immigrants, for the next few months.

This suspension will affect:

1. Regular Skilled Workers Program
2. Quebec Experience Program for recent graduates

A grace period is expected to last until June 30 of next year.

The Quebec government plans to use this freeze period to address pending applications and reassess immigration policies. They stated that this suspension will not affect the selection of new permanent residents planned for 2025, but it will impact the “admission scale” for 2026.

“Our objective is clear: We want to equip ourselves with the necessary means to better regulate immigration in Quebec.”
— Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge

Programs Affected by the Suspension

What is the Regular Skilled Workers Program?

The PRTQ, or Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés, is known in English as the Regular Skilled Worker Program.

• If applicants meet the minimum score set by the Quebec immigration grid, they can receive a CSQ and apply for Canadian permanent residency.
• A job offer from the greater Montreal area can be advantageous for selection.

Application Process:

1. Register a profile on Arrima.
2. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Scoring Factors:

• Age
• Education/Qualifications
• Language proficiency
• Work experience
• Family composition
• Job offer

Candidates receive significantly more points for French language skills compared to English.

The Quebec government issues invitations to the highest-ranked candidates, and once approved, candidates receive the CSQ needed to apply for permanent residency.

What is the Quebec Experience Program?

Also known as PEQ (Programme de l’expérience québécoise), this program is akin to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and is a “post-study immigration program” by the Quebec provincial government.

Requirements for PEQ:

• Graduation from a technical college or university
• Proof of French language proficiency

Courses at Quebec technical schools typically last around 14 to 16 months, which is shorter than those in other provinces. Tuition fees are generally lower than at regular public universities, leading to more people moving to Montreal for this program.

Final Thoughts

This concludes our discussion on the announcement regarding the suspension of key immigration programs in Quebec. Stay updated on changing immigration policies and prepare for Canadian immigration with the help of immigration experts.

NohProblem Consulting was founded after experiencing fraud from a study abroad agency and being outraged by the injustices of several visa agencies. Thus, we aim for transparent and honest operations.

Why Choose Us?

Honest and straightforward consulting based on facts and data
Thorough cross-checking by our specialized documentation team and our immigration lawyer, Lisa, four times
Reasonable prices and transparent processes

We adhere to these three principles in our operations. If you need assistance with immigration or studying abroad in Canada, please reach out to us, NohProblem Consulting, a trusted local immigration agency.

Today, we will be discussing a new bill announced by Quebec’s immigration department on October 9th.

Before diving into the details of the new bill, let’s first take a look at Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ).

Introduction to Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ)

PRTQ stands for Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés, or in English, the Regular Skilled Worker Program.

If a candidate meets the minimum score required on the grid set by Quebec Immigration, they can receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and apply for Canadian permanent residency. Particularly, candidates with a job offer from outside the Greater Montreal area are more likely to be selected.

To immigrate through this program, applicants must first register their Arrima profile and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Quebec evaluates candidates based on several factors, including:

Age
Education
Language proficiency
Work experience
Family composition
Job offer

Candidates can earn significantly higher points for French proficiency compared to English in the Regular Skilled Worker Program’s scoring system.

Quebec will issue invitations to the highest-ranking candidates in the pool. Once selected, Quebec provides the candidate with a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which allows them to apply for Canadian permanent residency through the federal government. After receiving the CSQ, candidates can proceed to apply for Canadian permanent residency.

Quebec’s New Nationality-Based Quota Bill

On October 9th, a new bill was announced that ensures, during each draw for Quebec’s skilled worker program, no single country’s citizens can comprise more than 25% of the selected candidates for CSQ invitations.

This bill can remain in effect for up to two years, with the current duration set from October 9, 2024, to October 9, 2025. The goal of this law is to maintain diversity among immigrants.

The Importance of Implementing Nationality-Based Quotas in Quebec

This new law is expected to influence Canadian immigration policies on a broader scale. In the past, other provinces have followed Quebec’s lead in implementing changes to immigration or visa policies.

For instance, Quebec was the first to implement the suspension of low-wage LMIA applications in Montreal in August, which has significantly disrupted many immigration plans.

Quebec also recently announced changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, prioritizing university graduates (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) over college graduates. This has impacted many international students, as Quebec has a higher proportion of university students.

Similarly, Alberta’s AAIP appears to be following Quebec’s lead by awarding additional points for job offers outside major cities and holding more frequent draws for those in rural areas.

So far, Quebec has played a pioneering role in introducing new immigration policies.

We anticipate that this new nationality-based quota system will also have an impact on the overall direction of Canadian immigration in the future.

That was a brief overview of Quebec’s nationality-based quota system for the skilled worker immigration program.

As immigration policies continue to change, prepare for Canadian immigration with the help of a Canadian immigration expert.

NohProblem Consulting was founded after experiencing fraud from a study abroad agency and feeling outraged by the unethical practices of several visa agencies. As a result, we strive to operate with transparency and honesty more than anyone else.

Honest, straightforward consulting based on facts and data
Thorough cross-checking of documents by our professional document team and four rounds of careful review by our immigration consultant, Director Lisa
Reasonable prices and a transparent process

We adhere to these three principles in our operations. If you need assistance with immigration, study abroad, or other Canadian immigration services, trust NohProblem Consulting, a reliable local immigration company.