Christine Fréchette, a contender for leadership in the Coalition Avenir Québec, has pledged to bring back a popular immigration program known as the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) if she wins the election. This program was recently terminated by the government but Fréchette aims to reopen it for a duration of two years.
The decision to end the PEQ by the current government led by Premier François Legault triggered public outcry, including protests and criticism from various sectors such as municipal officials and business leaders. Concerns were raised about the potential exodus of skilled workers from the province due to this move.
In response to this issue, Fréchette’s opponent in the leadership contest, Bernard Drainville, proposed a “grandfather clause” for the PEQ. This clause would allow individuals in key sectors like education and healthcare to stay in Quebec.
The future of the PEQ has become a significant issue in the leadership race, with the CAQ emphasizing the need to reduce the influx of temporary immigrants, citing strains on local services. Premier Legault suggested that implementing a grandfather clause could facilitate around 350,000 temporary immigrants in Quebec to swiftly obtain permanent residency.
