In a significant development affecting Quebec’s immigration landscape, Montreal’s leadership has taken a strong stance against the recent discontinuation of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ). On January 26, 2026, Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada and interim Projet Montréal leader Ericka Alneus will present a joint declaration at city council, advocating for exemptions to protect established immigrants impacted by the program’s termination in November 2025.
Understanding the PEQ Program Discontinuation
The Programme de l’expérience québécoise served as a vital fast-track pathway to permanent residency for newcomers in Quebec. Its discontinuation by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government in November 2025 has created significant uncertainty for countless temporary residents who were building their lives in the province. The program’s termination, implemented without grandfather clauses or transition measures, has particularly affected skilled workers and international graduates who were counting on this pathway for their permanent settlement in Quebec.
Montreal’s Proposed Exemptions
The joint declaration by Mayor Martinez Ferrada and Ericka Alneus focuses on two critical demands:
- Implementation of an immediate “acquired rights clause” for individuals who held temporary immigration permits when the PEQ was abolished
- Establishment of predictable and coherent pathways to permanent residency for already integrated residents
Mayor Martinez Ferrada emphasized that losing the PEQ program without exemptions would be “catastrophic” for Montreal, potentially resulting in the loss of valuable workforce contributors, including French-speaking immigrants. The initiative has gained support from other municipal leaders, including Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand, demonstrating a growing coalition of local government support.
Alternative Pathways – PSTQ Program
The Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) has become the primary route for economic immigration to Quebec following PEQ’s discontinuation. However, this new system presents more stringent requirements and a narrower path to permanent residency. The PSTQ specifically prioritizes applications in the health and education sectors while implementing measures that could disadvantage applicants from the Greater Montreal area.
Key differences in the new system include:
- Enhanced focus on priority sectors (health and education)
- Regional considerations that may impact Montreal-based applications
- More selective criteria for qualification
Looking Ahead
As Montreal’s leadership prepares to formally present their declaration, the immigration community awaits the Quebec government’s response. The situation remains particularly challenging for temporary residents who had been planning their future in Quebec through the PEQ program. While the new PSTQ system offers an alternative pathway, its more restrictive nature has raised concerns about Quebec’s ability to retain talented immigrants who have already integrated into the province’s society and economy.
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Reference
Nerestant, Antoni. “Montreal urges CAQ to grant exemptions following end of PEQ immigration program.” CBC News, 26 Jan. 2026, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/soraya-martinez-ferrada-ericka-alneus-peq-caq-9.7057203.
