Quebec plans to welcome more immigrants
There is a shortage of specialists in the province.
The pandemic has forced the province of Quebec to accept even fewer immigrants than before. At the same time, there are severe labour shortages in some areas.
Immigration Minister Nadine Giraud said Quebec would have no choice but to significantly increase immigration quotas. She said the province needs at least 17,000 to 18,000 new immigrants. In 2020, Quebec welcomed 25,000 people, while the government expected 43,000 to 44,000.
Previously, Quebec received an average of 50,000 immigrants a year, but the current government, led by François Legault, reduced the quota to 40,000 when it came to power. By 2022, the province is projected to be back to 50,000 newcomers a year.
The government plans to invest $24 million CAD over the next three years to facilitate the integration of immigrants into French-speaking society. Half of this money will go to Montreal and half to the rest of the province's cities. That's because about 70% of the people who come to Quebec live in Montreal.
Shortly before Nadine Giraud's announcement, Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet said immigration is a necessity because the province needs an influx of workers. Boulet also said authorities will be reviewing certain immigration rules to address the labour shortage. He said the hiring quota for foreign workers would be raised from 10 per cent to 20 per cent.
Quebec's plan to increase immigration quotas is under review, with the government expected to provide exact figures by the end of the year.
Quebec has launched three temporary immigration programs in 2021, for which it is already accepting applications:
