(Ottawa) Quebec Press Ottawa to change their approach to avoid losing temporary foreign workers in the manufacturing sector in the region while capping at 200,000 the number of temporary residents that come under the federal The Quebec Minister of Immigration, Jean-François Roberge, wishes to be able to conclude an agreement with Ottawa this summer.
“Maintaining the level of temporary foreign workers in certain regions is crucial for many companies faced with major labor stakes,” he wrote in a letter, obtained by The press, That he recently sent to the Federal Minister of Immigration, Lena Metlege Diab, and to the Minister of Employment and Families, Patty Hajdu.
He claims a rights of acquired rights for temporary foreign workers already in Quebec, outside the regions of Montreal and Laval, to avoid aggravating the shortage of labor that strikes many companies.
“Those who are in the regions should be able to renew their permit and stay there to ensure productivity and maintain in place, especially in the manufacturer,” he said in an interview.
Chambers of commerce from all over Quebec and SMEs claimed, last week, a moratorium on the restrictions imposed since the fall of 2024 on the program of temporary foreign workers (PTET) by the federal government. Their release followed a letter signed by around twenty actors in the economic environment, including the employers’ council, to demand the lifting of the restrictions. Mr. Roberge believes that federal measures “go very far and cause damage to the regional economy”.
These restrictions include the 20 % to 10 % reduction in the number of temporary foreign workers authorized in low salary posts, modifying the list of professions eligible for simplified treatment, which now excludes certain trades, as well as the introduction of new linguistic requirements.
“I understand the logic of the Federal to give a trip to reduce the presence of temporary immigrants on Quebec territory, but the request of Quebec was not to do so in a Quebec program of temporary foreign workers,” he recalls.
Photo Edouard Plante-Fréchette, the press archives
The Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration, Jean-François ROBERGE
Quebec’s demand was to reduce temporary among those who really fall under Ottawa, that is to say asylum seekers and the international mobility program.
Jean-François Roberge, Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration
Unlike PTET, the international mobility program allows an employer to hire a temporary worker without obtaining an impact study on the labor market beforehand.
The federal government seeks to “reduce the dependence of Canadian employers with regard to the PTET,” said Jennifer Kozelj, spokesperson for Minister Hajdu. “To be clear, the PTET is designed as an extraordinary measure to use to fill critical employment gaps, only when qualified Canadians and permanent residents are unable to occupy vacancies. »»
Ceiling the 200,000
Quebec at the same time claims a reduction in asylum seekers and workers in the international mobility program at 200,000, priority in the Laval and Montreal regions. Minister Roberge quotes “its effects on the French language, public services and the availability of housing”.
The Legault government plans to lower permanent immigration thresholds from 2026 to 2029 in order to put pressure on Ottawa. Three scenarios are on the table, ie thresholds of 25,000, 35,000 and 45,000. Minister Roberge said he had been ready to withdraw from services to asylum seekers, if the Carney government in Ottawa does any more.
The number of temporary immigrants on Quebec soil has more than doubled in three years to reach 616,500 to 1is January. Among them are asylum seekers, the number of which has tripled during the same period. In 2024, the number of temporary residents under the responsibility of Ottawa was 416,000.
Minister Roberge wishes to be able to conclude an agreement with the federalty this summer, even in July. He said he had a few exchanges with Steven Guilbeault, the lieutenant for the Quebec of Prime Minister Mark Carney, and with the Federal Minister of Immigration, Lena Metlege Diab.
“What we see in Ottawa is that they are receptive. It augurs well, ”he observes.
He notes the change of tone in Ottawa on the issue of immigration since the election of the government of Mark Carney, in particular with the deposit of bill C-2 which marks a significant hardening of the rules of access to asylum in Canada.
With the collaboration of Fanny Lévesque and Suzanne Colpron, The press
