Last Updated On 14 October 2024, 9:03 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

New immigration cap by Quebec: As part of the October 9, 2024 edition of the Gazette Officielle du Québec, a new ministerial order establishes the maximum number of foreign nationals the Québec Minister of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration will invite during the 2024-2025 period.

This policy ensures a balanced and strategic immigration approach that supports Quebec’s economic and social priorities.

Key Details on the Immigration Invitation Cap

Legal Framework: The cap is implemented under Article 45 of the Québec Immigration Act (Loi sur l’immigration au Québec).
- This provision allows the minister to regulate the number of invitations issued to foreign nationals, focusing on promoting diversity and meeting labour market needs.
Country-Specific Limit: A crucial part of this directive mandates that no more than 25% of the total invitations for permanent selection can be issued to candidates from the same country in a single invitation period.
- This measure ensures diversity in the origins of candidates selected under the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP).
Duration of the Cap: The policy takes effect on October 9, 2024, and will remain in force until October 9, 2025, at which point it may be reviewed or revised.

Impact on Prospective Immigrants

Diverse Pool of Candidates: This policy promotes greater geographical diversity by limiting the number of invitations from any single country, ensuring a broad representation of global talent.
More Competitive Process: With limits on invitations from the same country, applicants must ensure their profiles align with Québec’s in-demand skills and demonstrate proficiency in French to stand out.
Focus on Francophone Integration: The policy aligns with Québec’s goal of integrating Francophone immigrants and supporting labour market gaps in key industries like healthcare, IT, and manufacturing.

Next Steps for Applicants

Monitor Draws and Announcements: Candidates should stay updated on invitation rounds and selection criteria to enhance their chances.
Prepare Strong Applications: Applicants need to highlight their language skills, education, and work experience that meet Québec’s current labour demands.

This policy reflects Québec’s focus on diversifying immigration and addressing regional labour market needs in a sustainable manner. Further details on the number of invitations and draw schedules will be released in the coming weeks.

Will the Rest of Canadian Provinces Follow?

The immigration landscape across Canada is evolving, with provinces competing to attract skilled immigrants.

While Québec’s decision to cap invitations aims to foster diversity and integration, it may inspire other provinces to introduce similar measures.

Ontario and British Columbia, provinces that receive high numbers of immigrants, may adopt country-specific quotas to encourage a more varied talent pool.
Alberta and Manitoba, which rely heavily on immigration to fill labour shortages, may also balance economic needs with cultural diversity by implementing comparable policies.
However, some provinces may prioritize higher intake numbers to meet urgent labor market demands, especially in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades, without imposing such caps.

This move by Québec introduces a precedent that could shape immigration strategies nationwide, especially in the context of Canada’s growing focus on regional immigration through programs like the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

However, there is no official confirmation yet or indication by any of the Canadian provinces, but the senior vice president at RBC rolled a similar idea in November 2022 as one of the four ways to improve the international student program.

He suggested that Canada relies too heavily on students from China and India studying abroad.

To increase the talent pool and reduce risk, Canada must do more to attract students from South America, other Asian nations, and francophone countries.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.