On this page you will find
- Why Quebec has renamed its immigration ministry
- Who is responsible for immigration under the new government
- How Quebec plans to reduce permanent immigration to 35,000
- What the proposed cuts mean for temporary foreign workers and international students
- How the changes could affect Quebec’s skilled worker immigration programs
- What applicants already living in Quebec should know
Quebec has renamed its immigration ministry as the province’s new Parti Québécois government prepares to introduce major changes to immigration policy, including a proposed reduction in annual permanent resident admissions to 35,000.
The administrative change took effect on October 22, one day after Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s new government was sworn in.
The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) has become the Ministère de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration (MII), removing the reference to French-language learning from its official name.
However, the government has confirmed that French-language instruction remains part of the ministry’s responsibilities.
The more significant development is the appointment of Catherine Gentilcore as immigration minister and deputy premier, placing her in charge of implementing the Parti Québécois government’s plans to reduce immigration and give priority to temporary residents already living in Quebec.
The proposed measures could have significant consequences for skilled workers, international students, employers and people seeking permanent residence in the province.
Quebec Removes Francisation From Immigration Ministry’s Name
The Quebec government announced the ministry’s new name on October 22, confirming that it would continue providing immigration, French-language learning and integration services.
The previous name, Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration, reflected the emphasis that successive provincial governments placed on helping newcomers learn French.
By removing Francisation from the title, the new administration has made a symbolic change to the way it presents immigration policy.
However, the change does not mean Quebec has abandoned its commitment to French-language integration.
Francisation Québec continues to operate within the ministry, providing services designed to help immigrants develop their French-language skills.
The government has not announced any new language requirements as part of the renaming.
For applicants, the distinction is important. The ministry has a new identity, but the administrative change does not automatically alter immigration eligibility, applications or language requirements.
Catherine Gentilcore Takes Charge Of Quebec Immigration
Catherine Gentilcore became Quebec’s immigration minister on October 21, joining the government led by Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
She also serves as deputy premier, government house leader and minister responsible for Quebec’s accession to independence.
Her appointment gives her a central role in an administration that has made immigration reduction a major political priority.
The Parti Québécois argues that Quebec must bring immigration levels into line with the province’s capacity to provide housing, public services and French-language integration.
However, Gentilcore faces competing pressures.
Employers in several Quebec regions depend heavily on temporary foreign workers, while many international graduates and workers have already established their lives in the province.
The new minister has indicated that she wants to consult Quebec’s regions and consider the circumstances of immigrants already living and working in the province.
These discussions could influence how quickly the government introduces its proposals and whether it creates transitional measures for affected applicants.
Quebec Government Plans To Cut Permanent Immigration To 35,000
One of the Parti Québécois government’s central election commitments is to reduce annual permanent immigration admissions to approximately 35,000.
That compares with the previous government’s planning level of around 45,000 admissions annually.
| Immigration measure | Annual figure |
|---|---|
| Previous government’s permanent immigration target | 45,000 |
| Parti Québécois proposed target | 35,000 |
| Proposed annual reduction | 10,000 |
| Percentage reduction | 22.2% |
The proposed reduction would mean approximately 10,000 fewer people receiving permanent residence in Quebec each year compared with the previous target.
However, the government has not yet formally implemented the new figure.
Quebec will need to establish updated immigration planning levels and determine how admissions are distributed across economic immigration, family reunification and humanitarian categories.
The province also operates within a framework that divides immigration responsibilities between Quebec and the federal government.
Quebec selects most of its economic immigrants, while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada makes the final decision on permanent residence, including admissibility checks.
For prospective immigrants, lower admission targets could eventually lead to fewer selection opportunities and greater competition for available places.
Temporary Foreign Workers And International Students Face Uncertainty
The new government’s ambitions extend beyond permanent immigration.
During the election campaign, the Parti Québécois proposed reducing Quebec’s temporary resident population by at least half over a four-year mandate, bringing the total to approximately 250,000 to 300,000.
The plan would affect several groups, including temporary foreign workers and international students.
The party also proposed reducing the number of workers under the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program to approximately 40,000.
It wants to replace some employer-specific work permits with permits linked to particular regions or economic sectors.
Such a change could give workers more flexibility to move between employers within an approved sector or region. However, changes to federal work permit rules would require cooperation from Ottawa.
The Parti Québécois has also proposed limiting international student numbers and changing how the province distributes study opportunities among institutions and regions.
These commitments create uncertainty for employers that rely on overseas recruitment and educational institutions that depend on international enrolment.
However, the proposed reductions are not yet in force.
Existing work permits and study permits do not become invalid simply because Quebec has changed governments or renamed its immigration ministry.
Any future restrictions will depend on the rules the government adopts and, where federal authority is involved, cooperation with Ottawa.
Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program Could Face Changes
The future of the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program, known as the PSTQ, is another important question for immigration candidates.
The program operates through Quebec’s Arrima expression of interest system and allows the province to select skilled workers based on criteria such as occupation, education, professional experience, French-language ability and regional labour market needs.
Under the current framework, candidates may qualify through four streams:
- Highly qualified and specialized skills
- Intermediate and manual skills
- Regulated professions
- Exceptional talent
The Parti Québécois has proposed a moratorium on selecting new economic immigrants from outside Quebec until the province achieves its temporary immigration reduction target.
Instead, the government wants to prioritize foreign workers and international students who are already living in Quebec.
If implemented, this approach could significantly change how the PSTQ operates.
Overseas applicants could face fewer opportunities, while applicants with Quebec work experience, local qualifications and French-language skills could receive greater priority.
However, Quebec has not announced a formal suspension of overseas PSTQ applications or introduced a new selection framework under the Gentilcore administration.
Candidates should continue to follow the existing requirements and monitor future Arrima invitation rounds.
The province’s approach to the temporarily reopened Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) will also be important, particularly for foreign workers and graduates seeking a pathway to permanent residence.
What Happens To Applicants Already Living In Quebec?
The new government’s policy presents both potential opportunities and risks for people already living in Quebec.
On one hand, the Parti Québécois has indicated that it wants to prioritize temporary residents who have established themselves in the province.
This could benefit some workers and international graduates who already speak French, have Quebec employment experience and contribute to regional labour markets.
On the other hand, a reduction in overall immigration admissions could limit the number of people who can obtain permanent residence each year.
Prioritizing existing residents does not guarantee that every temporary resident will qualify for permanent selection.
The government must also clarify how it intends to treat people who have already submitted applications, received invitations or obtained Quebec Selection Certificates.
For now, the ministry’s name change does not cancel existing applications or change the validity of previously issued immigration documents.
Applicants should continue meeting their existing immigration conditions and avoid assuming that proposed policy changes have already taken effect.
Will Quebec Change Its French-Language Requirements?
Despite removing Francisation from the ministry’s name, the new government has given no indication that it intends to reduce the importance of French in immigration selection.
The Parti Québécois has traditionally supported policies designed to protect and strengthen the French language.
Its immigration proposals also include a stronger emphasis on selecting newcomers who can integrate into Quebec’s French-speaking society.
French proficiency already plays an important role in Quebec economic immigration programs, including the PSTQ.
Candidates may need to demonstrate different levels of French depending on their stream, occupation and personal circumstances.
The government’s decision to retain Francisation Québec confirms that French-language learning remains part of the ministry’s mission.
However, the new administration has not yet announced specific changes to the existing PSTQ French-language requirements.
Applicants should therefore distinguish between the government’s broader political direction and the eligibility rules currently in force.
What Comes Next For Quebec Immigration?
The next major development will be the government’s formal immigration planning decisions.
These will show whether the Parti Québécois moves quickly to implement its proposed permanent immigration target of 35,000 and how it intends to reduce the temporary resident population.
Several questions remain unresolved, including whether Quebec will introduce new restrictions on overseas skilled worker selection, how it will protect applicants already in the province and whether employers will receive exemptions in sectors facing labour shortages.
The minority government’s ability to secure legislative support could also affect the pace and scope of its reforms.
For now, the ministry’s new name signals the beginning of a different political approach to immigration.
But the impact on applicants will depend on what the government does next.
Those considering immigration to Quebec should follow current program requirements while preparing for potentially significant changes to selection priorities and immigration levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Quebec changed the name of its immigration ministry?
Quebec renamed the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration as the Ministère de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration on October 22, 2026. The change followed the appointment of a new Parti Québécois government. French-language learning remains one of the ministry’s responsibilities despite its removal from the official name.
Will Quebec reduce permanent immigration to 35,000 people?
The Parti Québécois has pledged to reduce annual permanent resident admissions from approximately 45,000 to 35,000, a reduction of about 22 per cent. However, the new government has not yet formally implemented this target. Updated immigration planning decisions will determine when the reduction begins and which immigration categories face changes.
Will Quebec stop accepting skilled workers from outside Canada?
The Parti Québécois has proposed temporarily suspending economic immigration selection from outside Quebec and prioritizing workers and international students already living in the province. However, the government has not implemented this measure. Overseas candidates can still follow existing program rules unless Quebec announces formal restrictions or changes to eligibility.
What happens to temporary foreign workers already living in Quebec?
Existing work permits remain valid according to their conditions and expiry dates. The government has proposed significant reductions in temporary immigration but has also indicated that established residents should receive consideration. Temporary workers should maintain legal status, monitor program announcements and avoid assuming that employment in Quebec guarantees permanent residence.
Does the ministry’s new name mean French is no longer required for Quebec immigration?
No. Removing Francisation from the ministry’s name does not remove existing French-language requirements. Francisation Québec continues to provide French-language learning services, and French proficiency remains important in skilled worker selection. The new government has not announced changes to existing language requirements as part of the administrative renaming.