Sabrina Kouider, a nurse based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, expressed deep disappointment as the provincial government abruptly ended the fast-track route to permanent residency, leaving many temporary foreign workers in uncertainty.
Kouider, who relocated from France to Quebec in 2024 with the promise of permanent residency after two years of service, found herself in limbo when the PEQ program was shut down. This sudden change shattered her future plans and left her feeling anxious about what lies ahead.
Adding to her distress is the sacrifice she made for her autistic child, who had a support system in France. Moving to Quebec meant starting from scratch and facing new challenges for her family.
Now, immigrants seeking to settle in Quebec through work must navigate the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), a points-based system that prioritizes candidates based on education, French-language proficiency, and work experience. However, the selection process is opaque, with the government having the authority to choose applicants based on economic needs, causing further uncertainty for workers like Kouider.
Immigration experts and activists are raising concerns about the lack of transparency and the toll it is taking on workers who have established their lives in Quebec. They are calling on affected individuals to share their stories and advocate for change, emphasizing the importance of not giving up in the face of challenges.
Keyphrase: Quebec immigration changes.
