Canada: Incoming Quebec Government Proposes Lower Immigration Targets and Stricter French-Language Requirements

The situation 

The Parti Québécois (PQ) won Quebec’s October 5, 2026 provincial election. Its immigration plan proposes substantial reductions in temporary and permanent immigration, along with stricter French-language requirements.  

These measures remain policy proposals. Further government announcements, including the next annual immigration plan, are expected to clarify how and when they will be implemented. 

A closer look 

• Temporary residents. The PQ aims to reduce the number of non-permanent residents in Quebec from more than 500,000 to 250,000-300,000 by the end of the four-year mandate. This broad category includes temporary foreign workers, international students and other temporary status holders. 
• Temporary foreign workers. The plan proposes a target of approximately 40,000 workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, compared with a current estimate of more than 80,000. The plan also calls for tighter selection criteria and proposes regional or sector-specific work permits in place of permits tied to one employer. It recognizes the agricultural sector’s reliance on foreign workers. 
• International students. The PQ proposes a target of approximately 50,000 international students, compared with more than 120,000 currently. It also proposes changes to university funding related to international students and greater support for French-language institutions. 
• Permanent immigration. The PQ proposes reducing annual permanent admissions from approximately 45,000 to 35,000 and imposing a moratorium on permanent economic immigration directly from outside Quebec. Under the proposed approach, Quebec would select economic immigrants from temporary residents already in the province. Giving priority to candidates already in Quebec, however, largely reflects an existing trend in the current system and is not, on its own, a main proposed change. 
• French-language requirements. French proficiency is central to the plan. The PQ seeks to prioritize individuals with intermediate French proficiency upon entry and intermediate to advanced proficiency at selection. The plan does not yet specify the required proficiency levels, which skills would be assessed or how requirements would vary by immigration program. 

The plan also calls for faster processing of family reunification applications for spouses and children and proposes that Quebec receive 22% of Canada’s asylum seekers, reflecting the province’s stated share of the national population. 

Impact 

For Quebec employers, the most significant proposed changes would be reductions in the numbers of temporary foreign workers and international students and the greater emphasis on French proficiency in immigration selection. If implemented, these measures could limit some international recruitment strategies and increase the need to plan workforce needs, immigration applications and French-language training earlier. 

Background 

Quebec’s current immigration framework already calls for lower temporary immigration and places greater emphasis on French-language integration. Its 2026–2029 Immigration Plan, adopted before the election, targets approximately 45,000 permanent admissions annually and includes measures to reduce the number of temporary foreign workers and international students. The PQ’s proposals signal a further reduction in those groups, but the existing plan remains the official framework until the new government announces changes. 

Looking ahead 

Quebec must table its next annual immigration plan after the National Assembly resumes sitting in November 2026. That plan may offer the first formal indication of how the incoming government intends to pursue its proposed immigration targets. 

We are monitoring these developments and will provide updates as details become available. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.