Maple News reports that the province of Quebec has set ambitious immigration targets for 2022, aiming to admit up to 52,500 new permanent residents over the next year—and potentially more than 70,000 when accounting for deferred admissions from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This update was part of Quebec’s recently released annual immigration plan, unveiled on October 28.
The majority of newcomers—up to 33,900 individuals—are expected to arrive through economic immigration streams. These include the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), and business immigration categories such as investors, entrepreneurs, and self-employed individuals. Of this group, 28,800 spots are designated for skilled workers, while up to 4,300 openings are allocated to business-class immigrants.
An additional 18,600 immigrants will be accepted through family reunification, refugee resettlement, and various humanitarian and other programs. Quebec’s unique immigration model, which allows it to set its own immigration levels under a 1991 agreement with the federal government, enables the province to tailor its plan to meet its specific economic and demographic needs.
The 2022 plan sustains the strategic direction outlined during public consultations held in 2019 for the 2020-2022 immigration cycle. Moreover, the new projection builds upon the promise made by the governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) party to cautiously raise immigration levels after implementing a temporary 20% reduction in 2019. That earlier cut aimed to enhance newcomer integration, particularly through the promotion of French language acquisition and improved selection processes.
The announcement signals a more open approach to immigration as Quebec recovers from the pandemic and addresses ongoing labour market shortages, especially in sectors requiring skilled talent. These updated targets point to Quebec’s intention to balance economic growth with social integration while maintaining its distinct cultural identity.
Each year, Quebec’s Immigration Department publishes detailed forecasts of admission levels per category, outlining how many immigrants the province intends to welcome over the next 12 months. These yearly plans are crucial in aligning Quebec’s labour needs with its immigration policies, particularly in light of its authority to oversee its own immigration system, an autonomy unique among Canadian provinces.
Maple News notes that this latest move may positively affect skilled professionals and entrepreneurs considering Quebec as their destination, particularly those proficient in French or with ties to the province’s labour market. The province’s renewed commitment to economic immigration underlines its long-term strategy to support sustainable growth and population renewal.