September 4, 2018 – More than two thirds of residents would like to see Quebec immigration levels remain the same or increase, according to a new poll.
The poll, conducted via online tool Vote Compass, showed than 68 per cent held a positive view of the impact immigrants have on Quebec society.
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Some 37 per cent said they wanted immigration levels to stay the same, 22 per cent would be happy with ‘somewhat more’ newcomers, while 9 per cent would be happy to welcome ‘much more’.
Meanwhile, just 28 per cent of Quebecers said they wanted lower levels of immigration in the poll, which recorded nearly 78,000 responses.
Source: Vote Compass
Immigration levels are a central issue in the upcoming Quebec provincial election.
The incumbent Liberal provincial government plans to welcome up to 53,000 new immigrants in 2018. However, the rival Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) wants to see the figure drop to 40,000, albeit temporarily.
As a French-speaking province, Quebec has always required the vast majority of its immigrations to be proficient in the language.
Judging by the responses to the Vote Compass poll, Quebec residents support this requirement.
Nearly two-thirds, or 64 per cent, either ‘somewhat agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ with the statement, compared with 24 per cent disagreeing.
Source: Vote Compass
Also, part of the debate in campaigning is whether newcomers should face a Quebec values test.
The CAQ is trying to appeal to its voter base by promising a values test for all newcomers within three years of arrival.
Just over half of respondents agreed with the idea, a total of 54 per cent.
Vote Compass is an online tool focused on the Quebec election, put together by Vox Pop Labs, CBC and Laval University.
Source: Vote Compass
Meanwhile, Quebec City Mayor Régis Lebeaume said recently that thousands of job vacancies will continue to go unfilled unless immigration to Quebec City is increased.
Lebeaume says there are 17,000 jobs available in Quebec City at the moment.
The mayor has put out a 12-page document saying Quebec City needs more than 5,000 extra immigrants per year for the labour market to recover.
Currently, Quebec City takes six per cent of all immigrants settling in the province of Quebec. Lebeaume wants to see that rise to 10 per cent.
Expression of Interest Coming to Quebec
The province of Quebec is about to launch an Expression of Interest immigration system for skilled workers.
The new method will replace the current first-come, first-served system. It is expected to reduce the processing time for economic immigration applicants to less than a year.
It will give priority to skilled workers who best meet the needs of the Quebec labour market.
How Does Quebec Expression of Interest Work?
- Candidates submit an online expression of interest profile to the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion (MIDI).
- Profiles enter an Expression of Interest pool, where they are ranked against each other. A profile is valid for 12-months.
- The highest-ranking candidates will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a Quebec Certificate of Selection under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
- Quebec will conduct periodic draws, inviting candidates to apply for a Quebec certificate of selection (CSQ).
- Candidates receiving an invitation have 90 days to submit a full application.
- Approved candidates who receive a nomination certificate (CSQ) may then apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.
Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.
Read more news about Canada Immigration by clicking here.
