Quebec’s Move to Abolish PEQ Leaves Province with Healthcare Worker Shortfall
On this page you will find
- Why Quebec abolished the PEQ
- How the change affects healthcare recruitment
- A regional case study from Vaudreuil-Soulanges
- Political promises and transitional measures
- What this means for candidates
- FAQs on Quebec’s immigration overhaul
Quebec’s Immigration Overhaul Raises Workforce Concerns
Quebec’s decision to abolish the Quebec Experience Program – PEQ – has triggered widespread concern among employers, healthcare institutions and regional leaders who rely on international talent.
The PEQ had offered a fast-track pathway to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers and international graduates already living and working in Quebec. By formally ending the program in November 2025 and replacing it with the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés – PSTQ – the province has fundamentally reshaped its economic immigration system.
The change comes at a time when Quebec faces persistent labour shortages, particularly in healthcare. According to Radio Canada, local officials and business leaders warn the province risks losing skilled workers to neighbouring Ontario, where immigration pathways are seen as more predictable.
What Changed When Quebec Abolished PEQ
The PEQ allowed eligible applicants to obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec – CSQ – through a streamlined process.
Two main streams existed:
- International Student Stream
- Temporary Foreign Worker Stream
International graduates needed to complete a recognised Quebec diploma within the previous 36 months and demonstrate B2-level French proficiency.
Temporary foreign workers needed at least 24 months of full-time skilled work experience in Quebec within the previous 36 months, along with advanced intermediate French.
Processing times for a CSQ through PEQ were typically around six months, making it one of the fastest routes to permanent residence in the province.
Under the new system:
- The PSTQ is now the sole skilled worker pathway
- Candidates must declare interest through the Arrima platform
- Invitations depend on regional labour needs and government priorities
- Selection criteria differ from the former PEQ model
Quebec has also closed three permanent immigration pilot programs, including streams for food processing workers, orderlies, and workers in artificial intelligence, information technology and visual effects.
Case Study: Vaudreuil-Soulanges and a New Hospital
The impact of the reform is already visible in regions preparing for major expansions.
In Vaudreuil-Soulanges, west of Montreal, a new hospital is set to open in 2028 and is expected to generate 3,500 jobs. At the same time, around 1,000 positions are currently vacant in the region.
With the unemployment rate in Montérégie at 4.9 per cent, employers argue that local labour supply cannot meet projected demand. Regional leaders have urged the Quebec government to exempt PEQ applicants so they can remain and continue working.
Healthcare planners have described immigration mechanisms as essential tools for recruiting skilled professionals. Without a clear and predictable pathway to permanent residence, some workers may choose to relocate to other provinces.
Political Promises and Transitional Measures
The issue has become central to the Coalition Avenir Québec leadership race.
Bernard Drainville has pledged to exempt French-speaking skilled workers in healthcare, education, construction and specialised manufacturing who were already settled in Quebec before PEQ ended.
Christine Fréchette has proposed temporarily reactivating PEQ for two years to protect applicants who were already in Quebec at the time of abolition. She would reduce PSTQ invitations to stay within immigration thresholds.
Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge has ordered a review of possible transitional measures and has appealed to the federal government to renew work permits for temporary residents outside Montreal and Laval. However, he maintains that the PSTQ better aligns with Quebec’s long-term priorities.
What This Means for Candidates
For candidates currently in Quebec:
- Those who planned to apply through PEQ must now consider the PSTQ
- Selection depends on government invitations rather than fixed eligibility
- Processing timelines may differ from the former six-month CSQ model
- Work permit renewals may become critical during transitional uncertainty
For healthcare workers and other skilled professionals, the risk lies in unpredictability. Provinces competing for talent may offer clearer or faster pathways to permanent residence.
For new applicants, Quebec now prioritises:
- Strong French-language proficiency
- Regional labour market needs
- Integration outside major metropolitan centres
Candidates who meet these priorities may still receive invitations under the PSTQ. However, the automatic fast-track nature of PEQ no longer exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Quebec replace the PEQ with the PSTQ?
Quebec replaced the PEQ to centralise skilled worker selection under one system. The government says the PSTQ allows it to better align immigration with regional development and French-language integration goals, though critics argue it removed a predictable fast-track option for integrated workers.
How does the abolition of PEQ affect healthcare recruitment?
Healthcare employers lose a streamlined pathway that helped retain French-speaking workers already in the province. Without certainty around permanent residence, some may move to other provinces, worsening staffing shortages as Quebec prepares for hospital expansions.
Can former PEQ applicants still apply for permanent residence?
Yes. They can submit an expression of interest under the PSTQ. However, they must wait for an invitation and meet updated selection criteria, which depend on government priorities and regional labour market needs.
Are transitional measures being considered?
Yes. Quebec’s immigration minister has ordered a study of possible transitional measures. Leadership candidates have also proposed exemptions or temporary reactivation of PEQ, depending on the outcome of the CAQ leadership race.
Will Quebec bring back the PEQ permanently?
There is no confirmed plan to restore PEQ permanently. Some political candidates have proposed temporary exemptions or a limited reactivation, but final decisions will depend on the next premier and government policy direction.
