Maple News reports that Quebec has temporarily suspended two major pathways to permanent residency as part of a broader plan to control immigration levels in the province. Effective immediately, the province will no longer accept applications under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) for recent graduates, and invitations under the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) have also been halted.
These changes are set to remain in place until June 30, 2025, according to Quebec’s recently released 2025 Immigration Levels Plan. The pause is specifically aimed at scaling back the number of Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQs) issued to recent graduates through the PEQ program.
Previously, Quebec had projected issuing around 14,500 CSQs to PEQ graduates in 2024. With the suspension in place, the province is now targeting a significantly reduced range of 4,500 to 5,700 CSQs in 2025. Correspondingly, the number of permanent residency admissions through the PEQ graduate stream is also being lowered to a range of 13,500 to 15,000. Without the suspension, immigration officials estimated these admissions could have reached up to 19,000.
Notably, while the graduate stream of the PEQ is on hold, the worker stream remains operational, continuing to provide a path for foreign workers already employed in the province.
Jean-François Roberge, Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration, stated that these measures are designed to moderate the flow of newcomers and ensure better integration outcomes for immigrants already in the province. Despite these cutbacks, Quebec plans to uphold its overall permanent residence admissions target of 50,000 for 2025, but with a rebalanced composition that includes PEQ graduates within that total.
These adjustments are a clear signal that Quebec aims to take a more measured approach to immigration, focusing on sustainability and integration while adapting to the province’s labor market and cultural realities.
Maple News will continue to monitor how these policy changes affect immigration applicants and the broader landscape of immigration to Quebec and Canada as a whole.