Maple News reports a sweeping transformation in Quebec’s immigration framework, marked by the launch of the new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) and a controversial move to pause most family sponsorship applications for two years. These developments reflect the province’s recalibrated approach to immigration—one that sharply prioritizes labour market needs while drawing widespread concern over its impact on family reunification.
The PSTQ officially replaces the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ), creating a more targeted and data-driven system for selecting candidates best suited to Quebec’s economic demands. Effective July 2025, the PSTQ features four specialized streams: highly qualified professionals, intermediate and manual workers, regulated professions, and individuals with exceptional talent. All applicants must submit a declaration of interest through the Arrima portal, where their profiles are evaluated using an enhanced grid of up to 1,400 points.
Designed to support regional economic development, the revised selection grid gives significant weight to French-language proficiency, ties to Quebec, and a willingness to settle outside the Greater Montréal area. This approach is part of Quebec’s strategy to disperse newcomers throughout the province and strengthen francophone integration. While this method is expected to improve outcomes for both newcomers and local communities, it could also disadvantage qualified candidates who lack French proficiency or familiarity with Quebec’s specific requirements.
Although the PSTQ introduces greater transparency, it raises the standard for eligibility. Francophone ability is now essential for most applicants, and the complexities of the revamped points system may pose challenges for those without access to expert guidance. Immigration lawyers are likely to play a more vital role in helping applicants navigate this evolving landscape, identify pathways for boosting scores, and secure regional opportunities.
In sharp contrast, Quebec’s decision to suspend new family sponsorship applications until June 25, 2026, has triggered widespread criticism. The move halts sponsorships for spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, and adult dependent children. Only applications involving minor children, adopted children, and individuals with disabilities are exempt from this freeze. According to the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI), the pause was required after the province reached its maximum quota of 10,400 applications for the 2024–2026 period.
However, critics argue this is more than a procedural cap; it represents a substantial rollback in family immigration rights and places an emotional and financial burden on separated families. Legal professionals warn that the suspension could face challenges under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and are exploring federal avenues that may permit exceptions to Quebec’s approval.
The policy dichotomy sends a mixed message: while Quebec modernizes its approach to economic immigration with the PSTQ, it simultaneously sidelines the humanitarian imperative of keeping families together. Immigration practitioners are now tasked with developing parallel strategies—helping skilled workers maximize their profiles under the PSTQ while advocating for family reunification under limited or federal alternatives.
As these policies unfold, Maple News will continue to monitor how they reshape the demographic, economic, and social fabric of Quebec. The PSTQ signals a new era of strategic immigration planning, but the family sponsorship freeze serves as a solemn reminder of the human dimension often overshadowed in policy reform.