Maple News reports that Quebec will reopen three targeted immigration pilot programs on January 13, 2025, aiming to address critical labor shortages in the province. These programs offer a pathway to Canadian permanent residence (PR) for foreign workers who meet specific qualifications in designated industries.
Originally launched in 2021, the pilot programs have been tailored to attract skilled professionals in food processing, healthcare support, and high-tech sectors. The programs reopening in 2025 are:
– Food Processing Workers Pilot (PP TA)
– Beneficiary Attendants Pilot (PP PAB)
– Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, and Visual Effects Workers Pilot (PP IA/TI-EV)
Each of these programs is capped at accepting 600 applications. The PP IA/TI-EV, however, will divide its intake evenly between AI and IT/Visual Effects components. Moreover, each of these streams will reserve up to 150 slots for applicants under the “Francisation” profile, which supports non-French speakers committed to learning the language.
These pilots are time-limited and will close permanently on January 1, 2026. The Quebec immigration ministry has clarified new eligibility requirements aligned with labor market needs and provincial integration goals.
Candidates applying under the Food Processing Workers Pilot (PP TA), for instance, must be at least 18, intend to live and work in Quebec, and hold a secondary or vocational diploma obtained through a full-time program of at least one year in Quebec. Additionally, applicants must currently be employed full-time in one of the eligible processing occupations and have at least 24 months of relevant Quebec-based work experience in the last three years. Candidates must also demonstrate intermediate-level French proficiency (Level 7 on Quebec’s scale) and the ability to support themselves financially.
Eligible occupations under the PP TA are tied to specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes including NOC 94141 (machine operators), 95106 (labourers in food processing), and others related to food and beverage manufacturing (NAICS 311 and 3121).
By reinvigorating these immigration pilots, Quebec is clearly doubling down on a strategic approach to talent acquisition — one that aligns workforce demands with immigration enforcement, while reinforcing its unique cultural and linguistic identity. Maple News notes that these pilots provide an attractive immigration route for internationally trained professionals seeking long-term settlement in Quebec.
Further updates on eligibility criteria for the other two pilot streams are expected to be released by the provincial government in the coming weeks.