A reform of the Legault government's immigration programs, announced last year, does not appear to be slowing down the desire of many eligible workers to immigrate to Quebec. Nearly 155,000 applicants are waiting on the government's Arrima portal, Radio-Canada has learned, as the latest data provides the most comprehensive portrait of their socio-demographic profile.
More precisely, as of January 31, there were 154,700 skilled workers. Active expression of interest
They had already made a formal application, still valid, on the Arrima portal, meaning to immigrate permanently to Quebec.
In descending order, Algerians show the most interest in Quebec (20,465 interest requests), followed by Cameroonians (17,249), Moroccans (14,073), Senegalese (13,088), Egyptians (10,969) and Syrians (10,395).
Followed by Tunisians (8284), Ivorians (6148), French (6091), Indians (6038), Togolese (2705) and Haitians (2579) followed by a long line of countries with fewer than 2000 expressions of interest.
The data, which comes from a request for access to information available on the website of the Ministry of Immigration, Franchise and Integration (MIFI), proves that Quebec continues to be attractive, according to immigration lawyer Me Maxime Lapointe.
Despite the harshness of Quebec's immigration policies, demand remains very strong.
Me Maxime Lapointe, Immigration Lawyer
Photo: Radio-Canada / Xavier Gagnon
Last year, the Legault government announced upcoming changes to its economic immigration programs.
For example, as of November 2024, qualified workers who submit a declaration of interest on the Arrima portal must demonstrate oral French knowledge at level 7 (intermediate) before arriving in Quebec.
Can Talents Be Marginalized?
Currently, the data shows that 30,000 active expressions of interest, or less than 20% of the total, come from qualified workers with this level of French exposure.
This data is surprising because the list of countries of origin shows that most expressions of interest come from French-speaking or Francophile countries.
Former Planning Director MIFIAnne Michel Mex, who initiated the request for access to information that generated this data, suspects that many applicants who are fluent in French do not pass the knowledge test, perhaps because of the costs.
However, when the criterion of prior knowledge of French comes into effect in November, will these workers be unfairly rejected by the system? Ms. Mex worries about this because it would deprive Quebec of its ability to meet linguistic needs.
There are certainly some good candidates in the group of people who have declared interest and they may be missed. […] If not add the fact that they have experimental evidence.
Anne Michelle Mex, former director of planning and reporting at MIFI
Photo: Radio-Canada / Zoom / Screenshot
While writing these lines, The MIFI Radio-Canada has not yet responded to questions on the matter.
Young and educated workers
The data also shows that nearly two-thirds (62.8%) of expressions of interest are made by young people between the ages of 18 and 35. More than 7 out of 10 applicants (71.9%) are male.
Almost half had a bachelor's (29.5%) or graduate (19%) university degree.
1 in 10 applicants (9.6%) hold a senior or middle management position, while 31.2% have an occupation that requires a university degree.
Mrs. According to Mex, Quebec will have every discretion in prioritizing these workers in immigration planning.
Arrima is clear to everyone, to the government, to the society, to the diaspora, at all levels and beyond passing through temporary stages over the years.
she says.
All the rights and services that newcomers need, not just stability and the ability to work for whomever they want. […]But they can easily be programmed.
However, Me Lapointe did not share his opinion. He gives the example of temporary immigrants already in Quebec, such as students and foreign workers, who are already integrating and can try to settle through the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
I would still prefer those in Quebec vs People in their country of origin. There are already marginalized people in Quebec
He explains.
Offer is not enough
Also, Me Lapointe says Quebec's immigration limits are too low. He recalled that in addition to the 154,700 active claims interested in Arrima, more than 122,000 people were recently waiting for their permanent residency in the province.
This does not count other temporary immigrants currently in Quebec who may soon submit an application for permanent residence.
According to Me Lapointe, is there [donc] Today more than 300,000 people want to immigrate to Quebec
Permanently, but Quebec's limit should be 60,000 for the current year.
This imbalance between supply and demand no longer makes sense, especially to the extent that the Quebec government is recruiting abroad, according to Me Lapointe.
The government should stop recruiting abroad for the next few years […]. We employ foreign workers and, on the other hand, tell ourselves that the reception capacity has been reached […]. There is a lack of stability
he said.
