Quebec’s Immigration Rules May Deter International Students, Say McGill and Concordia

Montreal-based McGill and Concordia universities have expressed concerns about Quebec’s new immigration rules, requiring international students to learn French. These changes to the Programme de l’experience quebecoise (PEQ) are expected to deter international students without French language skills from applying for and obtaining jobs in Quebec. 

The PEQ is a fast-track program for international students to obtain a Quebec selection certificate, a step towards gaining permanent residency. It is available to international students and graduates who have gained a degree from Quebec institutions in the last two years. The recent reform to the PEQ aims to encourage more French-oriented applicants by distinguishing between francophone (French-speaking people) and anglophone (English-speaking people) applicants. 

McGill University argues that these changes will create a ‘two-tier’ system and potentially discourage international students from choosing their institution. The university suggests evaluating each Quebec immigration candidate individually may be more equitable. 

Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, Christine Frechette, has defended the policy, stating that anglophone international students will have other immigration options, such as applying to the PEQ if they have completed or are pursuing three years of secondary or post-secondary education in French. Additionally, they can apply for permanent residency after a year of work if they meet French language requirements under the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés. 

Following the Quebec immigration news, Concordia University also opposes the policy, arguing that the policy will lead to the exclusion of graduates from English-speaking universities, especially those from specific nationalities, including students from China, India, the United States, and similar countries who will not meet the criteria. The university argues that this change could significantly impact the availability of immigrant labor in Quebec, particularly in engineering and science fields. 

The Quebec government defends its decisions, citing the importance of promoting the daily use of French and integration into Quebec society. The PEQ reforms are part of broader Quebec immigration changes in the economic category aimed at promoting French language skills among newcomers.