Jessica Prats relocated to Quebec from France with her spouse and four children, aiming to establish a new life in Canada. However, her plans were disrupted when the provincial government terminated a swift immigration initiative.
Premier Christine Fréchette, during her campaign to lead the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), pledged to revive the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) and provide relief to immigrants who were in Quebec when the program was axed last November. Despite this promise, Prats expressed frustration over the slow progress, highlighting the emotional toll it has taken on her family.
The PEQ, initiated in 2010, was intended to offer a pathway to permanent residency for French-speaking graduates and integrated workers in the province. The CAQ’s decision to scrap the PEQ was part of a strategy to regulate immigration levels, substituting it with the PSTQ skilled worker selection program.
In a departure from the firm stance of her predecessor François Legault, Fréchette is committed to honoring the original commitment made to 45,000 integrated residents. However, time is of the essence as concerns grow over the delay in reinstating the program.
Critics caution that without a clear timeline, many individuals may be compelled to leave Quebec before they can even submit their applications. Yves Martineau, an immigration lawyer, revealed that several of his clients have already departed for other provinces or are preparing to do so to secure residency through alternative means.
Sol Zanetti, an MNA and co-spokesperson for the opposition party Québec Solidaire, emphasized the urgency of reopening the program as pledged by the government. Advocacy group Le Québec, c’est nous aussi (LQCNA) urged for immediate dialogue to ensure equitable solutions for immigrants who uprooted their lives to meet Quebec’s labor demands.
Expressing concerns over the uncertainty, Tiffany Corti, a pastry chef from France, emphasized the anxiety caused by the prolonged wait for action. She stressed the need for concrete steps rather than mere promises from the authorities.
Aram Musco, who now advocates for LQCNA after moving to Quebec from France, emphasized the collaborative approach in seeking solutions with the government. The group is dedicated to advocating for the reinstatement of the PEQ to support integrated individuals in Quebec.
In response to the growing demands, Immigration Minister François Bonnardel’s office announced ongoing efforts to explore options for reopening the PEQ. The government is pushing for extensions of work permits to prevent families from being displaced while awaiting the program’s revival.
Premier Fréchette assured that plans are in motion to reestablish the program, with an official announcement expected soon. The federal government’s support in extending work permits for foreign nationals is seen as a positive step towards addressing labor needs and facilitating the transition to permanent residency for workers in Quebec.