Both candidates in the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) leadership race have proposed exceptions to the discontinued Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) if elected premier. Christine Fréchette and Bernard Drainville, the sole contenders to replace outgoing Premier François Legault following his resignation last month, aim to support applicants already integrated into the province.
Background on PEQ Changes
The PEQ ended on November 19, 2025, leaving the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) as the only pathway for economic immigrants seeking permanent residency in Quebec. Both candidates previously served as cabinet ministers under Legault and share professional ties to the Parti Québécois.
Fréchette’s Transition Plan
Christine Fréchette announced in a social media post that she would reopen the PEQ for a two-year period to accommodate applicants residing in Quebec at the time of its closure. “This two-year transition period will provide a fair and predictable pathway for those who are already integrated here,” Fréchette stated. She added that invitations under the PSTQ would decrease accordingly to maintain provincial immigration targets.
Drainville Targets Key Sectors
Bernard Drainville outlined exceptions for skilled workers in health care, education, construction, and specialized manufacturing who lived in Quebec before the PEQ’s end. Speaking on a radio program, he said, “If you’ve been in Quebec for two years, speak intermediate-level French, and if you work in [those sectors] you should have a grandfathered right.” Drainville emphasized, “We should be able to keep you because we need you. So far, I am the only one taking this position.”
Legault Reaffirms No Exceptions
Outgoing Premier François Legault maintains that no exceptions should apply to PEQ applications. He highlighted the presence of 350,000 temporary foreign workers in Quebec and concerns over declining French usage in Montreal. “We cannot accept all the temporary foreign workers in Quebec so that they become permanent,” Legault declared.
Mayors Endorse Pragmatic Approach
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada described the proposals as reassuring, noting the city’s unified push for its immigration needs. “What people will tell you is that they don’t really care what the program is. They want to stay here under the promise that they had when they came here,” she told reporters. In January, Martinez Ferrada and interim Projet Montréal leader Ericka Alneux jointly urged exemptions for established immigrants.
Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand welcomed Fréchette’s position in a statement, calling it pragmatic. “It would provide quick reassurance to those living through an unsustainable situation and would also offer an initial response to the needs of businesses that contribute to the vitality of their communities throughout Quebec,” Marchand said.
Reactions from Officials and Critics
Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge acknowledged the leadership race’s diverse positions at the National Assembly. “It’s very good that these debates are happening, and people will ultimately decide,” he noted.
Québec Solidaire MNA and immigration critic Guillaume Cliche-Rivard criticized Roberge’s stance as increasingly isolated. He demanded exemptions to ease widespread anxiety among immigrants. “The climate of uncertainty, now amplified by the CAQ leadership race, is simply untenable,” Cliche-Rivard stated.
