The mayors of Québec City, Bruno Marchand, and Montréal, Soraya Martinez, are leading a joint effort to advocate for the rights of temporary foreign workers in Québec. This comes after recent modifications to the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ), which have created uncertainty for thousands seeking permanent residency.
A United Front for Workers
For the first time in their history, the Communauté métropolitaine de Québec (CMQ) and the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) have adopted a joint resolution. Representing 110 municipalities, over 5.1 million people, and nearly 70% of Québec’s GDP, these communities are sending a strong message to the provincial government.
The PEQ, a program designed to streamline the path to permanent residency for individuals with Québec experience, has been altered in favour of other immigration pathways. This shift has left many workers in a precarious situation, unsure of their future in the province.
The Demand: A ‘Grandfather Clause’
The CMQ and CMM are calling for a ‘clause de droits acquis’ – a ‘grandfather clause’ – to protect those temporary foreign workers already established in Québec at the time of the PEQ’s modification. This would ensure that individuals who met the PEQ requirements prior to the changes would still be eligible for permanent residency.
“Yes, we need planned, coordinated immigration, but in the case of the PEQ, can’t we just agree to keep our word?” stated Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Mayor of Montréal and President of the CMM. “In the metropolitan region, this is huge. It represents a lot of people.”
Who is Affected?
Mayor Marchand clarified that the request excludes seasonal workers, refugees, and asylum seekers. He estimates that up to 13,000 people in Québec City alone are affected by the PEQ changes. These are individuals who are already working, speaking French, and contributing to the local economy.
“These are not people coming from elsewhere who will increase social problems or exacerbate housing issues. These are people who are already here,” Marchand emphasized. The communities argue that these workers are educated, locally trained, housed, and actively involved in the social and economic life of Montréal and Québec City.
Further Developments
The resolution also demands that Québec maintain effective transition mechanisms to permanent residency that recognize the value of the Québec experience. This situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy in Québec and the need for a balanced approach that addresses both economic needs and the rights of workers. For more information on immigration policies in Canada, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.
