Maple News reports that the number of temporary foreign workers in Quebec has nearly quadrupled over the past eight years, driven primarily by two federal immigration programs: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).
According to a recent report from the Institut du Québec (IDQ), Quebec issued 167,435 temporary work permits in 2023, compared to just 43,770 in 2015—marking a steep 280% increase. The surge in temporary residents significantly shaped the province’s labour landscape, as temporary immigration in general grew 46% year-over-year in 2023.
By the end of 2023, Quebec was home to over 528,000 temporary residents. This included 117,745 international students and asylum seekers, in addition to the 167,000+ temporary workers. The IMP accounted for the largest share of temporary work permits at 107,615, while the TFWP brought in 59,820 workers last year.
One of the key reasons behind this dramatic rise is the absence of caps on temporary immigration. Unlike Quebec’s permanent immigration program—limited to around 50,000 newcomers annually—temporary pathways have no clearly defined ceiling. As a result, new temporary immigrants accounted for 1.8% of Quebec’s entire population in 2023 alone.
The data reveals a larger trend affecting the province’s workforce: immigration was the only source of labour force growth in Quebec during the 2015–2023 period. During these years, 384,000 newcomers—272,000 permanent residents and 112,000 temporary residents—entered Quebec’s workforce. This rise offset the retirement or departure of 54,000 Canadian-born workers.
The TFWP allows employers to fill labour shortages with foreign talent, usually in low- and medium-skilled sectors, while the IMP brings in a wide range of immigrants, including international graduates and workers exempt from the labour market impact assessment (LMIA). Both programs have become central to addressing Quebec’s pressing labour shortages, particularly in regions facing aging populations and weak population growth.
While the increase strengthens Quebec’s economy and cushions demographic decline, it has sparked ongoing debates about sustainability, housing pressures, integration efforts, and the need for clearer immigration planning. Experts are now calling for more responsive policies to manage this swift demographic shift.
Maple News will continue monitoring Quebec’s evolving immigration strategy and its long-term effects on workforce development and provincial planning.