Maple News reports that the Québec government has unveiled a significant investment of $246.1 million over three years to enhance its immigration strategy and support economic recovery. As part of its 2021–2022 provincial budget, the government aims to attract more immigrants, accelerate the recognition of foreign credentials, and encourage settlement in regions outside major metropolitan areas.
According to Québec Finance Minister Eric Girard, this funding will support the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration (MIFI) in improving policies for credential recognition and better aligning immigration with labour market demands. The announcement highlights immigration as a central pillar in the province’s plan to tackle labour shortages and stimulate growth.
Immigration Minister Nadine Girault emphasized the importance of integrating skilled newcomers into communities, particularly those in regions struggling with labour gaps. “Immigration plays a key role in economic recovery—by attracting talent and helping new arrivals settle successfully across all regions, we ensure businesses have access to the qualified workforce they need,” she noted.
A key component of the budget includes $130 million over two years specifically allocated to support the professional integration of immigrants trained abroad. This funding will help identify high-demand occupations, expand training and internships in regulated professions, provide financial aid to newcomers undergoing credential recognition, and assist professional orders in streamlining their evaluation processes.
Moreover, the province is also taking active steps to balance the geographic distribution of immigrants. Recognizing that most newcomers prefer urban centres like Montreal, the government is investing $57 million to encourage immigration to regions experiencing acute labour shortages. These regional initiatives aim to improve employment outcomes and strengthen community integration.
Language education remains another top priority. Québec is injecting $50 million over two years into francisation programs to help immigrants gain fluency in French, a critical skill for both social integration and job opportunities in the province. Financial assistance will also be expanded to support learners as they complete their language training.
The budget also reflects an increased focus on international students—a valuable source of future skilled workers. Efforts will be made to attract and retain more of these students by enhancing support services and promoting pathways to permanent residency.
Overall, Québec’s new immigration funding strategy marks a major step toward modernizing its immigration system, supporting economic growth, and building stronger, more inclusive communities throughout the province.