Changes are coming to Quebec’s immigration process as the province’s government attempts to cut down on delays and attract more international students and temporary foreign workers who want to stay in Quebec.
The new plan, which was unveiled by Immigration and Inclusion Minister Kathleen Weil on Monday in Old Montreal’s Bonsecours Market, is the first major overhaul of immigration policy in 25 years.
Weil said the goal is to make it easier for those who are working and studying in Quebec to stay.
Prospective immigrants would fill out a declaration, explaining why they want to live in Quebec. Employment Quebec would also be more involved in helping to decide who can stay, based on employment needs. French lessons would also be easier to access for new arrivals.
“People have a lot of choices right now and I think you’ve seen that there’s many European countries that are interesting to people, and the USA and the rest of Canada,” said Weil. “So we’re in that competition and we want to do as well, or better, than our competitors.”
She added that Quebecers generosity towards Syrian refugees makes her confident the province’s people are capable of giving immigrants the support they need to get acclimated to their new home.
The plan did garner criticism, especially regarding where funding would come from.
“There’s nothing new,” said Table de Concertation en Immigration Director Stephane Reichhold. “The big challenge we have is a lack of resources. If we had more resources, we could do more.”
Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses spokesperson Martine Hebert said the plan focuses too much on skilled labour.
“It will address the problem we have for qualified workers but not for non-qualified workers, like in restaurants or in manufacturing sectors,” she said. “So we are a bit disappointed on this front.”
