Maple News reports that Quebec’s move to phase out the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) has ignited significant concern among workforce planners, especially in the healthcare sector. The program’s replacement by the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) marks a fundamental shift in how the province selects skilled immigrants—at a time when employers are urgently trying to fill critical labour shortages.
Effective November 2025, the PEQ—once a fast-track immigration route for temporary foreign workers and international graduates with Quebec experience—will officially be discontinued. Unlike the PEQ, the PSTQ requires candidates to file an expression of interest through the Arrima platform, where selection depends on regional labour demands and government-set priorities. The change has introduced layers of uncertainty for both prospective immigrants and employers who have relied on the predictable PEQ stream.
Healthcare leaders are particularly concerned. With hospital expansion projects such as the new 3,500-job facility in Vaudreuil-Soulanges already underway, the region is facing a shortfall of about 1,000 workers. Given the limited local unemployment rate, immigration pathways are critical to meeting staffing demands—especially for French-speaking healthcare professionals. Without a reliable route to permanent residency, many skilled workers may opt to move to more immigration-friendly provinces like Ontario.
The immigration debate has become a pivotal topic in the ongoing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) leadership contest. Candidate Bernard Drainville has promised exemptions for French-speaking professionals in vital sectors who were already in Quebec before PEQ’s cancellation. Christine Fréchette has suggested temporarily reviving the program for two years to support current residents. Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge is considering transitional measures and has appealed to the federal government to renew work permits, especially for residents outside Montreal and Laval.
Previously, PEQ applicants enjoyed relatively clear eligibility requirements: 24 months of skilled work experience in Quebec or a recognized Quebec diploma within three years, along with B2-level French proficiency. CSQ processing took about six months—making it one of the most efficient routes to permanent residence in Quebec.
In contrast, the PSTQ introduces a selection process based on a points system and government invitation, influenced by labour shortages and regional economic goals. Applicants must now compete in a more complex, less predictable selection environment. Although PSTQ still prioritizes French proficiency, regional integration, and in-demand occupations, it lacks the straightforwardness that many found in the PEQ program.
Maple News notes that while former PEQ applicants can still seek permanent residency through the PSTQ, they must now adapt to new criteria and potentially longer processing times. These uncertainties may deter skilled individuals, particularly in essential services, from staying in the province. With no confirmed plans to reinstate PEQ permanently, the future rests heavily on political shifts and the province’s evolving immigration strategy.
For new applicants, the changes underscore the emphasis on French-language ability, willingness to settle outside major urban centres, and alignment with Quebec’s labour needs. But for many already living and working in Quebec, the transition represents a step away from a system that once rewarded their integration and contribution. The unfolding situation remains dynamic, and more policy developments are expected in the coming months.