Quebec’s commitment to attracting skilled immigrants and strengthening its Francophone population continues with the release of its Immigration Levels Plan for 2025. The province aims to welcome between 48,500 and 51,500 newcomers, with a significant emphasis on economic immigration.
Key Points of the Quebec Immigration Plan 2025:
- Economic Immigration: This category remains the primary focus, with a target of 31,000 to 32,900 immigrants. This includes admissions under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), particularly for Quebec graduates.
- Family Reunification: The province plans to reunite approximately 10,200 to 10,600 families.
- Refugee Programs: Quebec aims to resettle 6,600 to 7,200 refugees.
Strengthening French Language Proficiency:
A key objective of the plan is to bolster the status of French within the province. The government aims to ensure that 79-80% of immigrants arriving in 2025 have French language proficiency, with this figure rising to 95% for principal applicants in economic immigration.
Temporary Measures and Program Suspensions:
To manage immigration flows and align with evolving economic needs, the Quebec government has implemented some temporary measures:
- Suspension of Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP): The RSWP and the Skilled Worker Selection Program will be suspended until at least June 30, 2025.
- Suspension of Quebec Graduate Stream of PEQ: This popular pathway for international students will also be temporarily paused.
A Focus on Temporary Foreign Workers:
While the 2025 Immigration Levels Plan primarily focuses on permanent residency, Quebec acknowledges the importance of temporary foreign workers. The province plans to conduct a comprehensive review of its temporary immigration policies in 2025, which will inform future immigration guidelines.
Country Cap for Regular Skilled Worker Program:
To ensure a balanced immigration intake, Quebec has introduced a country cap for the RSWP. Starting October 9, 2024, no more than 25% of invitations under the RSWP can be issued to applicants from any single country.
Quebec’s Unique Immigration Landscape:
Quebec’s immigration system differs from the federal system, granting the province significant autonomy in setting its own immigration targets and priorities. This unique approach allows Quebec to tailor its immigration policies to its specific economic and social needs.
Comparing Quebec’s Plan to Canada’s:
While Quebec is maintaining its immigration targets, Canada has announced a reduction in its federal immigration targets for 2025. This divergence in approaches highlights the different priorities and challenges faced by the province and the federal government.
Quebec’s 2025 Immigration Levels Plan reflects the province’s ongoing commitment to attracting skilled immigrants and promoting French language. While the temporary measures and country cap may impact certain immigration pathways, the plan overall aims to strike a balance between economic growth, social cohesion, and linguistic diversity.
