Quebec’s 2025 Immigration Plan: Key Points and Temporary Measures

On October 31, 2024, Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, Francization, and Integration, Jean-François Roberge, presented Quebec’s Immigration Plan for 2025 in the National Assembly. This plan outlines new immigration targets and introduces temporary measures to regulate the growth of permanent immigration in Quebec. Here’s an overview of the plan’s main points:

Immigration Targets

Quebec’s goal for 2025 is to admit between 48,500 and 51,500 immigrants under the regular immigration stream. This target includes:

• Economic Category: The largest group of new immigrants will enter through the economic stream, with approximately 31,000 to 32,900 individuals expected to be admitted.
• Family Reunification: Around 10,200 to 10,600 admissions will fall under family reunification programs.
• Refugees: An estimated 6,600 to 7,200 refugees are expected to be admitted.

These targets exclude admissions through the “Quebec graduate” stream within the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).

Temporary Measures to Manage Permanent Immigration

Quebec announced two temporary measures to limit the number of permanent immigration applications, both effective from October 31, 2024:

1. Suspension of the “Quebec Graduate” Stream:
   • New applications for permanent residency under the “Quebec graduate” stream of the PEQ will be paused until June 30, 2025.
   • Applications submitted before this date will continue to be reviewed, and any previously selected applicants can proceed with the immigration process.
   • Applications to add family members are exempt from this suspension.
2. Suspension of Invitations for the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP):
   • Until June 30, 2025, no new invitations will be issued for permanent selection under both the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) and its replacement, the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP).
   • Those invited before October 31, 2024, can still submit their applications within a 60-day period.

Additional Considerations

• Temporary Foreign Worker Stream: This stream within the PEQ remains open and is unaffected by the recent suspensions.
• Validated Job Offers (VJO): Valid job offers will retain their 18-month validity. The Ministry will continue processing validation applications from employers.

These measures are intended to respond to a significant increase in non-permanent residents and to moderate the rate of permanent immigration. In spring 2025, a new multi-year immigration plan covering both temporary and permanent immigration will be developed, focusing on the period starting in 2026.

Emphasis on French Language

A key priority for Quebec is reinforcing the use of French across the province. The 2025 plan aims for 79%-80% of all incoming immigrants to be proficient in French. Among principal applicants in the economic stream, this percentage is expected to reach 95%.

These adjustments reflect a notable shift in Quebec’s immigration policy, potentially affecting labor availability across various sectors, including retail. The Quebec government’s rationale for these temporary measures is to better manage immigration levels and ensure that resources are available to effectively integrate new residents.