Quebec Ends the PEQ Program: What’s Changing — and What It Means for Immigrants

Quebec’s immigration system is undergoing one of its most significant shifts in years, and the reaction has been loud, emotional, and deeply divided. The province has officially abolished the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) and replaced it with a new, more restrictive pathway called the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ).

For many temporary residents, international students, and foreign workers already living in Quebec, the change has created uncertainty — and in some cases, panic.

Below, we break down what changed, why it’s controversial, and how Ayodele Law can help those now caught in immigration limbo.

What Was the PEQ — and Why Did It Matter?

The PEQ was one of Quebec’s most predictable immigration pathways. It allowed international graduates and temporary foreign workers with strong French-language skills and qualifying Quebec work experience to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) — a key step toward permanent residence.

While selective, the PEQ had one crucial advantage: clarity. Applicants could realistically assess whether they met the criteria before applying, making it easier to plan their future in Quebec.

Over time, Quebec narrowed eligible occupations and tightened requirements — before abolishing the program entirely in November 2025.

What Replaced It: The PSTQ Explained

The new PSTQ shifts Quebec to a points-based, invitation-only system, similar in structure to Express Entry — but with greater discretion and fewer guarantees.

Key features of the PSTQ include:

• Mandatory Expression of Interest through the Arrima portal

• Invitations issued based on evolving provincial priorities

• Strong emphasis on:

  • Employment outside Montreal and Laval

  • Sectors facing labour shortages (health care, education, construction)

  • Quebec education and French proficiency

Quebec plans to select roughly 29,000 economic immigrants in 2026, primarily through the PSTQ.

The concern? There is no longer a clear pathway for people already established in Quebec who were relying on the PEQ.

Why the Backlash Has Been So Strong

The reaction against the PEQ’s abolition has been widespread — including protests across multiple Quebec cities.

Critics argue that:

• Thousands of workers and graduates are now stuck mid-process

• “PEQ orphans” are being asked to start over under a system with no guarantees

• Municipalities and employers fear losing workers already trained, integrated, and employed

• Health-care institutions risk staffing shortages if workers’ permits expire before PSTQ invitations are issued

Despite government assurances, many stakeholders say the PSTQ does not replace the predictability and fairness of the PEQ.

Health-Care Workers: A Special Risk Group

More than 6,300 temporary foreign health-care workers are currently working in Quebec, with many permits expiring by the end of 2026.

While the province has promised to prioritize health-care workers under the PSTQ — and to coordinate with Ottawa on work permit extensions — timelines remain uncertain.

Delays or refusals could result in:

• Loss of critical medical staff

• Interrupted patient services

• Workers forced to leave Quebec despite years of service

This uncertainty has put immense pressure on workers, employers, and families alike.

Federal vs. Provincial Tensions

Quebec has criticized the federal government for delays in work permit renewals, while Ottawa has pushed back — noting that Quebec alone controls the selection of its economic immigrants.

The result? Temporary residents caught between two governments, each pointing fingers, while real people face expiring status.

How Ayodele Law Can Help

At Ayodele Law, we regularly assist clients navigating sudden policy shifts, program closures, and stalled immigration pathways — including Quebec-specific matters.

We can help by:

• Assessing PSTQ eligibility and strengthening Arrima profiles

• Exploring alternative PR pathways outside Quebec when appropriate

• Assisting with work permit extensions and status restoration

• Advising employers on retention strategies for foreign workers

• Challenging unreasonable delays or refusals through legal remedies

If you planned your future around the PEQ — or are unsure where you now stand under the PSTQ — getting early legal advice is critical.

Final Thoughts

Quebec’s decision to abolish the PEQ marks a turning point in the province’s immigration strategy. While the PSTQ may align with shifting labour priorities, it has left thousands of newcomers uncertain about their future — despite already being rooted in Quebec society.

If you or your employees are affected by these changes, you do not have to navigate this alone.

Ayodele Law provides strategic, practical immigration advice across Canada, including complex Quebec-related cases. Reach out early — because in times of policy upheaval, timing matters just as much as eligibility.