Hours after tabling its immigration plan, the Legault government clarified that the Quebec Experience Program—long the province’s signature fast-track to permanent residence—will close on November 19. Minister Roberge told reporters that ongoing PEQ admissions were artificially inflating annual totals and undermining efforts to stabilise intake at 45,000.
Under PEQ, foreign graduates who completed studies in Quebec and skilled workers with 12 months of local experience could secure permanent residence in as little as six months. Its cancellation means candidates must now navigate the regular Skilled Worker or Pilot programs, which involve points-based selection and stricter French thresholds.
![PEQ sunset looms as Quebec opts for “moderate” cut to 45,000 newcomers a year]()
Universities fear a competitive hit: McGill and Concordia have marketed PEQ as a pathway that offsets higher tuition fees. Without it, recruiters expect some international students—particularly from Asia and Latin America—to choose provinces such as Ontario or British Columbia where post-graduate work-permit holders can transition through federal Express Entry without provincial language tests.
Employers in tech and visual-effects sectors, concentrated in Montreal, also warned that PEQ’s demise complicates retention of junior staff who join on post-graduation work permits. Companies should audit current PEQ-eligible employees and file applications before the November 19 deadline, while simultaneously exploring federal PNP routes for future hires.
Strategically, Quebec’s pivot underscores a broader national trend: provinces are aligning immigration with housing and language-integration capacity, even if it means shedding popular fast-track programs.
Under PEQ, foreign graduates who completed studies in Quebec and skilled workers with 12 months of local experience could secure permanent residence in as little as six months. Its cancellation means candidates must now navigate the regular Skilled Worker or Pilot programs, which involve points-based selection and stricter French thresholds.
Universities fear a competitive hit: McGill and Concordia have marketed PEQ as a pathway that offsets higher tuition fees. Without it, recruiters expect some international students—particularly from Asia and Latin America—to choose provinces such as Ontario or British Columbia where post-graduate work-permit holders can transition through federal Express Entry without provincial language tests.
Employers in tech and visual-effects sectors, concentrated in Montreal, also warned that PEQ’s demise complicates retention of junior staff who join on post-graduation work permits. Companies should audit current PEQ-eligible employees and file applications before the November 19 deadline, while simultaneously exploring federal PNP routes for future hires.
Strategically, Quebec’s pivot underscores a broader national trend: provinces are aligning immigration with housing and language-integration capacity, even if it means shedding popular fast-track programs.
