Quebec, known for its rich culture and diverse communities, has long been a hub for international students seeking quality education and career opportunities; However, recent immigration policy reforms have generated controversy with McGill and Concordia universities, which have expressed concern about the impact these changes may have on the interest of potential international students to enroll in them, as they must now have a good level of French to qualify for permanent residency, and while the government emphasizes the importance of French proficiency for a better communion of all in the province, these institutions worry about unintended consequences, including a potential brain drain and labor shortages in crucial sectors.

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How do these measures affect the Quebec Experience Program (Programme de l'expérience québécoise, PEQ)?

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The PEQ has been a popular fast-track program for international students wishing to obtain a Quebec selection certificate, a crucial step towards permanent residency in this province. Whether they were living and working in the province or recent graduates of Quebec institutions, many international students saw this program as a pathway to a future in the region; however, in May of this year 2023, Quebec Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette introduced a package of reforms to the PEQ with the goal of raising French language skills, which establishes a marked difference between French and English-speaking applicants, all within the economic framework of strategic immigration planning in Quebec projected for 2024 to 2027.

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Impact of this reform package

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While these changes favor those French-speaking or French-educated students from an accelerated process that will allow them to apply for permanent residency as soon as they complete their studies, there is a contrast with respect to students who came to Quebec to study in English and lack sufficient proficiency in French since they would no longer qualify for the PEQ and its associated benefits. This is the reason why the two universities in the province that handle English as their main language, McGill and Concordia, are concerned.

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The following is the opinion of both institutions, Minister Fréchette and the reasons given by the provincial government.

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‍Concernsof McGill University.

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McGill University, an institution that primarily offers English-language programs, has expressed strong comments about concerns about the new rules. Fabrice Labeau, McGill's vice rector for student life and learning, noted that the changes could create a two-tier system that would negatively affect most of McGill's 12,000 foreign students, even those who have some knowledge of French. The university proposed that candidates be evaluated individually rather than favoring those who studied in French-speaking programs while expressing fears that a significant portion of its international student population would reconsider studying at the institution due to concerns about their ability to stay in Quebec after completing their studies. This could have broader implications for the province's education sector and workforce.

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Concordia University Concerns

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In a report sent to the government, Concordia University pointed out that the new rules could inadvertently exclude graduates from English-speaking universities, even if they are fluent in French, and argued that the PEQ would only be available to a limited number of students from French-speaking countries, which could exclude potential students from countries such as China, the United States, India and Iran.

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Minister Fréchette's response

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During the committee hearings, Minister Fréchette was unwavering in her position that students will have alternative options. In this regard, she said that those students who have completed three years of secondary or post-secondary courses in French will still be able to apply for the PEQ. In addition, she mentioned the Regular Program for Qualified Workers (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés, PRTQ) which allows applicants to apply for permanent residency after one year of work experience, provided they reach the required level of French proficiency.

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The government's rationale

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The government emphasized the importance of the daily use of French for integration in Québec. As a result, knowledge of the French language became a requirement for almost all economic immigration programs. The policy aimed to ensure that people living in Québec could integrate effectively with a command of French.

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PEQ reform and its impact on the Québec workforce

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At present, Quebec is facing a shortage of labor to sufficiently lift its economy, and it is believed that these changes could have serious consequences in the future. The migration process to the region has been positive over a number of years; in fact, about 30% of the international students who came to Québec in the last decade found work through the PEQ and became residents and valued members of the workforce. 

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As mentioned at the outset, this reform is part of economic migration planning projected for the next four years, and as the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether a middle ground can be found that addresses both the language integration goals set by the local government and the retention of highly skilled international graduates.

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If you would like an evaluation of your immigration status, you can schedule a consultation with an Immiland CICC regulated consultant or request a free case evaluation.

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With love,

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Immiland

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