QUEBEC CITY – Protests are intensifying across Quebec following the provincial government’s decision to officially terminate the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ). The popular fast-track residency program, which provided a direct path to permanent status for international students and temporary workers, was formally closed on November 19, 2025. This move is part of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government’s broader strategy to curb immigration levels to approximately 45,000 permanent residents annually starting in 2026 and to enforce stricter French-language requirements.
The decision has sparked a wave of indignation among thousands of immigrants who had already moved to the province, completed their studies, and secured employment under the expectation that the PEQ would be their bridge to permanent residency. Organizations like “Le Québec c’est nous aussi” have organized rallies in Montreal and Quebec City, accusing the government of “breaking a promise.” The core of the frustration lies in the government’s refusal to offer a “grandfather clause” or exemption for those already in the system, forcing them instead to compete in a more complex selection process where their previous efforts toward integration are not guaranteed to count.
With the PEQ abolished, the primary route for economic immigration is now the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), also known as the Skilled Worker Selection Program. Unlike the PEQ, which was essentially automatic for those who met specific criteria, the PSTQ uses a competitive point-based system via the Arrima portal. This new system prioritizes high French proficiency, specific high-demand occupations, and regional placement outside of Montreal, making it significantly harder for many current temporary residents to secure their future in the province.
The policy shift has drawn sharp criticism from more than just immigrant advocates; business chambers and labor unions have warned that losing a predictable pipeline of skilled workers will aggravate labor shortages. Mayors from several cities have expressed concerns about a potential “brain drain” to other Canadian provinces as skilled individuals seek more stable pathways elsewhere. As the province moves toward its 2026–2029 immigration plan, opposition parties are signaling that this “betrayal” of current temporary residents will remain a central and contentious theme in upcoming political debates.
