Maple News reports that the province of Quebec is launching three new pilot immigration programs targeting workers in key industries facing labor shortages. The announcements were made by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) on March 3, and the pilots are set to roll out over the coming weeks.
These targeted programs will support foreign nationals already working in Quebec’s food processing industry, the healthcare sector (specifically as orderlies), and advanced technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), information technology (IT), and visual effects. The objective is to attract and retain skilled workers whose expertise aligns with provincial labor market demands.
Each pilot program is expected to run for a maximum of five years and will offer up to 550 spots annually for principal applicants. Applicants’ spouses and dependents are not included in this cap. Successful candidates will receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which is an essential step toward permanent residency in the province.
To be eligible, candidates must be at least 18 years of age and demonstrate the financial capacity to support themselves and their family for a minimum of three months. A significant emphasis is placed on prior work experience in Quebec. Applicants should have legal work status and must have worked full-time—defined as at least 30 paid hours per week—in eligible job roles.
Of the three programs, the food processing pilot is the first to go live, with a scheduled launch date of March 24. This stream is designed to help Quebec businesses retain trained foreign workers and remain competitive with other Canadian provinces also vying for skilled labor in the agri-food sector.
The healthcare pilot will cater to orderlies, also known as “préposés aux bénéficiaires,” who have been instrumental throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The tech-sector stream aims to support Quebec’s growing innovation economy by opening doors for foreign workers in AI, IT, and visual effects to stay in the province long-term.
This set of pilot programs showcases Quebec’s continued autonomy over its immigration policies and its focus on meeting economic needs through targeted immigration strategies. According to Maple News, these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to strengthen local industries and address persistent labor shortages.
Aspiring applicants are encouraged to stay informed about application dates and specific job roles that qualify under each program as more details are expected soon from MIFI.