Quebec’s new Premier Christine Fréchette has announced that the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) will be reopened for a two-year period. The announcement was made on May 5 during Fréchette’s inaugural address to the National Assembly of Quebec.
Restoring a Critical Pathway to Permanent Residence
The PEQ (Programme de l’expérience québécoise) has historically served as a popular route to permanent residence for foreign nationals who possess work or study experience within the province. Its restoration comes after a period of significant restriction; the program’s Temporary Foreign Workers stream was suspended on June 25, 2025, and the Quebec Graduates stream was suspended on October 31, 2024. The program was officially closed on November 19, 2025, under the previous government of Premier François Legault.
The closure marked a turning point in provincial policy, representing the first time in decades that international graduates from Quebec institutions and skilled workers with in-province experience lacked a clear path to permanent residency. During the closure, the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), managed through the Arrima system, remained the sole pathway for skilled workers. The PSTQ utilizes a points-based assessment prioritizing education, Quebec-based experience, and French language proficiency.
Prioritizing Integration and Language
Premier Fréchette, who previously served as Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, Francization, and Integration from 2022 to 2024, had voiced her support for the program’s return during her CAQ leadership campaign earlier this year. She framed the reopening as a way to provide stability for those already embedded in the province.
“While respecting our immigration thresholds, we must allow those who already speak French and who are already integrated to have as much predictability as possible,” Fréchette stated.
Despite the reopening of the PEQ, the Premier maintained that the province’s overall ability to welcome newcomers is constrained. She noted that Quebec faces a “limited reception capacity because of our language, our culture, and also because our financial capacity is limited.”
The Broader Immigration Strategy
The original closure of the PEQ was a component of Quebec’s 2026-2029 Immigration Plan, which scaled back various programs and established an annual cap of 45,000 permanent residents. This strategic shift occurred as Canada revamped its overall immigration strategy to address rising temporary residence numbers.
Quebec continues to exercise a unique level of authority over its immigration intake due to agreements with the federal government. This distinction is highlighted by the fact that federal programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), are only available to those intending to settle outside of Quebec.
Fréchette also used her address to call for increased federal cooperation regarding asylum seekers, stating that the federal government should better distribute these individuals across Canada and reimburse the costs Quebec incurs to welcome them.
Looking Ahead
While the commitment to reopen the PEQ has been made, several details remain unresolved. Premier Fréchette did not specify a date for the reopening, nor did she indicate if there would be modifications to the application process or eligibility criteria.
the implementation of the program may depend on upcoming administrative updates. Future developments could include the introduction of new requirements or a specific timeline for when foreign nationals can begin submitting applications under the reinstated streams.