In 2021, Quebec is experiencing a boom in immigration as the Covid-19 pandemic subsides, public health constraints are relaxed, as well as the francophone province works hard to restore its economy and address labour shortages.
According to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data, the province welcomed more new permanent residents in the first nine months of this year than it did in the whole previous year. At the end of September this year, immigration to Quebec has already increased by about 35.5 per cent over last year’s total, with 34,170 new permanent residents to the province at that time period, compared to the 25,225 new permanent residents to the province in all of 2020.
Nadine Girault, the province’s immigration minister, wants to keep that momentum continuing by bringing in more foreign employees to meet with Quebec’s rising labour shortages. She committed earlier this year to increase immigration levels in the province as it recovers from the Covid-19 outbreak. The government then stated last month that it will increase its investment in immigrant settling programs.
“I am pleased to announce today an important investment of more than $20 million to support non-profit organizations that help immigrants settle into our regions,” Girault tweeted in mid-October.
Prior to the pandemic, immigration to Quebec had been pretty constant for three years, with an 8.7 per cent increase from 48,975 to 53,240 from 2015 to the following year, according to IRCC estimates. Prior to the pandemic, immigration to Quebec had been pretty constant for three years, with an 8.7 per cent increase from 48,975 to 53,240 from 2015 to the following year, according to IRCC estimates.
The advent of COVID-19 in Asia in late 2019 prompted travel restrictions and reduced immigration to Quebec, resulting in just 40,565 new permanent residents that year. The rate of immigration to Quebec this year is on course to surpass the level established in 2019 by 12.3 per cent. According to the Immigration Levels Plan, which was introduced in the National Assembly in late October, Quebec wants to welcome up to 70,500 new immigrants in 2022.
The estimates include 52,500 immigrants under the previously stated plan, as well as 18,000 to make up the shortfall of immigrants recorded during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration (MIFI) said last year that it aimed to welcome up to 54,500 immigrants in 2021, including 7,000 to assist make up the gap witnessed in 2020, during the height of the pandemic.
However, forecasts suggest that Quebec would only accept a maximum of 47,100 newcomers this year, a figure that might fall as low as 43,100. The province of Quebec is unusual in Canada in that it operates its own immigration programs with different selection standards than the other provinces and the federal government.
For example, the province does have its own Expression of Interest immigration system for selecting candidates for the Quebec Skilled Worker program. Candidates upload their profiles using the Arrima web portal. The approach is meant to move candidates with the greatest credentials to the front of the queue, ensuring a steady supply of new workers with profiles that suit the demands of Quebec firms.
Foreign nationals who want to live in Quebec permanently must go through a two-step immigration process. They must first be chosen by MIFI and have a Quebec Certificate of Selection (CSQ). This is a formal document issued by Quebec immigration officials attesting to the fact that the candidate has been chosen by the province. Because it is not a visa, it is not valid for entry into Canada.
After receiving his or her CSQ, the foreign national must file a permanent residence application with IRCC within 24 months of receiving the CSQ. The federal government’s participation in examining a Quebec permanent residency application is mostly restricted to problems of health and crime. At this point, an application will be sent to IRCC, together with any required police certificates and medical tests. There are various schemes available to people who wish to immigrate to Quebec.
Candidates indicate their interest in relocating to Quebec to work under Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP). The province then chooses individuals who are most likely to succeed financially in Quebec. These are people whose abilities match specific provincial market demands, making it simpler for them to get jobs.
A grid of points-based parameters is the basis of selection in Quebec, which includes education, work experience, language knowledge, age, children, partner traits, and financial autonomy. The Quebec Experience Program – PEQ is another option for candidates who are already living, working, or studying in Quebec.
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