A diverse coalition comprising the Quebec municipalities union (UMQ), unions, and business leaders has united in a pressing call for immediate action on immigration in response to the recent termination of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
During a recent press conference, over 30 organizations collectively urged both Quebec City and Ottawa to address the issue, emphasizing the importance of retaining immigrants who are already contributing positively to Quebec’s society and economy.
Their key demands include the urgent implementation of a grandfather clause for the PEQ by the Legault government, as well as a plea to Ottawa to extend the temporary permits of individuals currently residing in Quebec.
Following the controversial end of the PEQ in November, which offered a streamlined path to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers and foreign students in Quebec, the new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) has faced widespread criticism.
Concerns have been raised that without timely invitations under the PSTQ, numerous foreign workers in Quebec could face the expiration of their federal work permits.
In response, CAQ leadership candidate Christine Fréchette has vowed to protect the rights of foreign workers and students affected by the PEQ’s closure, proposing to allow them to apply under the previous regulations.
The call for a grandfather clause has been echoed by the Parti Québécois (PQ), who advocate for approximately 40,000 temporary immigrant workers selected by the Quebec government.
Various estimates have been put forth, with François Legault suggesting that reinstating the PEQ could potentially benefit around 350,000 temporary foreign workers in Quebec, while Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has proposed an even broader approach that could see up to 600,000 individuals applying for permanent residence under the PEQ.
However, Québec solidaire (QS) has contested these figures as exaggerated, highlighting the need for clarity on eligibility criteria for the grandfather clause.
