Immigrant Advocates React to Quebec Immigration Policy Changes
Following the election victory of Premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon in Quebec, discussions on anticipated immigration shifts have stirred mixed reactions among immigration advocates.
During the recent 39-day election campaign, St-Pierre Plamondon associated what he termed as “uncontrolled immigration” with various societal challenges in Quebec, including the housing crisis, language decline, educational issues, and pressure on public services.
However, some advocates caution against solely blaming immigration for these issues. Carlos Rojas, director of Montreal-based organization Conseil Migrant, emphasized the vital contribution of immigrants to the economy, highlighting their role in sustaining a growing elderly population in Quebec.
Rojas stressed the importance of a leader who unites rather than divides the population.
St-Pierre Plamondon’s Parti Québécois (PQ) has proposed reducing the intake of permanent immigrants to Quebec by admitting 35,000 new permanent residents annually, a decrease of around 10,000 individuals compared to previous plans by the outgoing government. The PQ also aims to lower temporary immigration, targeting 250,000 to 300,000 non-permanent residents by the end of its term.
To implement these immigration changes, the minority PQ government will require support from at least one opposition party. Speculations suggest that the Conservative Party of Quebec could be a potential ally in shaping immigration policies.
Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec holds significant authority over its immigration quotas, enabling the selection of economic immigrants and refugees for resettlement. The province receives financial compensation from the federal government in exchange for providing resettlement and integration services.
Experts suggest that the PQ may seek increased autonomy in immigration policies beyond the existing accord, potentially leading to negotiations with the federal government. The political landscape indicates a need for strategic handling of such discussions to avoid perceptions of discord between provincial and federal authorities.
