2019-11-15 – Quebec’s immigration ministry has announced the restoration of the pre-November 1 requirements for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
As of November 14, candidates applying to the PEQ will be assessed based on the criteria that existed before the November 1 changes were announced by Immigration Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette.
Jolin-Barrette has since suspended the changes following an outcry from stakeholders, including candidates and employers.
The November 1 changes introduced areas of training list for the graduate stream of the PEQ, and a list of targeted National Occupational Classification codes for the temporary worker stream.
Jolin-Barrette says he will consult stakeholders before revising both the areas of training and targeted NOC codes list.
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Reverting to the original requirements means degree holders with between 900 and 1,799 hours of training are no longer eligible.
Those with between 900 and 1,799 hours of training that submitted an application between November 1 and November 13 will be assessed based on the criteria that existed at that time.
All other candidates who applied will be assessed based on the pre-November 1 criteria.
In announcing the suspension of the changes on Facebook, Jolin-Barrette wrote: “Over the past few days, various economic and education stakeholders have raised questions about the lists of areas of demand training and jobs in deficit.
“To reassure all these stakeholders, the Government of Quebec announces the temporary suspension of modifications to the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
“Lists of in-demand training areas and jobs in the deficit will be revised in collaboration with the relevant actors.”
The PEQ is a fast-track route to a Quebec Selection Certificate for international graduates and skilled workers who have spent the required amount of time in the province.
Prior to the Coalition Avenir Quebec’s changes, all degrees made candidates eligible for the PEQ’s international graduate stream. Under the changes, the list was limited to 65 bachelor’s degrees, 24 masters, 7 doctorates as well as 59 college diplomas.
The new rules also saw a list of specific ‘in-demand jobs’ for the temporary foreign worker stream of the PEQ.
Jolin-Barrette had already backtracked to a certain extent by saying those already in the province would not be subject to the changes.
