The Outlook for Expatriates in the Workforce

In Quebec, Canada, the Legault government has announced plans to focus the federal government's efforts on reducing temporary immigration in cities where French vitality is threatened and unemployment rates are higher, such as Montreal and Laval. This decision has sparked concerns among temporary foreign workers and employers alike.

One such worker is Edison Cardona, a temporary foreign worker from Colombia, who has been employed at Canadian Tire since 2022. Cardona is hopeful for permanent residence but expresses frustration as governments close doors and programs. His work permit expires in a year, and the uncertainty of his future in Quebec looms large.

Similarly, Jennifer Dejan, a temporary foreign worker from the Philippines, has been working at a fast-food chain in Sept-Îles for four years. Dejan's partner tried to sponsor her through family reunification, but the program is currently frozen. She now faces the prospect of her employer not renewing her work permit in January, leaving her future in Sept-Îles uncertain.

The federal government has imposed a cap since June, limiting temporary foreign workers in low-wage positions to represent no more than 10% of a company's total workforce. Previously, this limit was 20%. This cap, along with the reduction of the maximum duration of a work permit for low-wage jobs from 24 to 12 months, encourages annual permit renewals.

The Quebec government has also set a capacity rule that in every company, temporary workers in low-paid positions can represent a maximum of 10% of the total workforce since June 2022. This rule, combined with the federal government's changes, has put pressure on employers, particularly in sectors like retail and hospitality, where temporary foreign workers are often essential.

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec and the Council of Employers are putting pressure on Ottawa to maintain the status quo on its new rules. They argue that these changes could lead to labour shortages and economic instability. Immigrant support organisations, such as Alpha Lira, an organisation offering French language courses and integration services in Sept-Îles, have also reported a lot of distress among immigrants due to instability and uncertainty.

The Legault government is studying three scenarios for reducing permanent immigration this fall, with potential thresholds of 25,000, 35,000, and 45,000 per year until 2029. Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge is advocating for a "grandfather clause" for workers already in Quebec, like Jennifer Dejan.

The "Temporary Foreign Workers" stream of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is suspended until November, adding to the concerns of temporary foreign workers. The government of Quebec has also reached the maximum number of applications it can receive for family reunification until June 25, 2026.

Consultations will mark the return of the parliamentary session a year before the general elections, providing an opportunity for the public and stakeholders to voice their concerns about Quebec's immigration policies. The Quebec Liberal Party has already expressed concerns about the government's immigration projections being labeled as "catastrophic" by chambers of commerce.

As the future of immigration policies in Quebec remains uncertain, temporary foreign workers like Edison Cardona and Jennifer Dejan continue to face challenges and uncertainty in their pursuit of permanent residence and stability in their adopted home.