The Quebec government is suspending two major pathways to permanent residency as part of a reassessment of its overall immigration strategy.
Over the next few months, the Legault government will stop issuing Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQs) — an essential document in the immigration process — for foreign students and economic immigrants applying through two of its main pathways to permanent residency, Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge confirmed late Wednesday.
This freeze will target those wishing to immigrate to Quebec under the Regular Skilled Worker Program and the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
The moratorium could extend until the end of next spring.
According to Radio-Canada, the province will use this time to clear out the backlog of applications in the system and to re-evaluate its immigration policy.
This pause in the selection of new permanent immigrants will have no impact on the next permanent immigration targets planned for 2025, Radio-Canada reported.
Quebec mulls reducing permanent immigration
Roberge confirmed reports of the moratorium in a post on X Wednesday evening.
“Our objective is clear: We want to equip ourselves with the necessary means to better regulate immigration in Quebec,” he wrote.
Roberge also opened the door to a reduction in permanent immigration targets in Quebec, saying that scenario “will also be seriously considered by the government.”
He added the government will take into account people on temporary work and study permits in Quebec in its next multi-year immigration plan.
Following reports of some private colleges mainly serving as channels to obtain citizenship, Quebec Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge has tabled a bill to reduce how many foreign students are in the province.
The decision comes a week after the federal government announced plans to cut the projected number of newcomers.
The Trudeau government is cutting the projected number of new permanent residents from 485,000 to 395,000 in 2025, with further cuts to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.