Actuality¹⁶⁶

For thousands of skilled immigrants who chose Quebec, studied at our universities, and integrated into our labor market, the decision to eliminate the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is a source of profound uncertainty, stress, and anxiety. But beyond individual journeys, it is Montreal's entire economic ecosystem that will suffer the repercussions.

The PEQ was a strategic lever. It allowed talented individuals who had already been trained here, learned French, and integrated into society to obtain permanent status and put down lasting roots in Quebec. Eliminating or restricting this program, as the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) is doing, sends a clear message:

Skilled workers will no longer come, or worse, they will come only to leave for elsewhere.

The PSTQ disadvantages temporary immigrants wishing to settle in the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM), giving more points to candidates from the regions, but also to those with more experience. The PSTQ operates on a points system: the higher the score, the more likely candidates are to be selected. These points are awarded based on a number of criteria, such as age, professional experience, level of French, and place of employment. For example, for a job offer in Montreal, a candidate will receive 30 points, compared to 50 for an offer outside the CMM.

Already facing a severe talent shortage, Montreal businesses cannot afford to lose highly skilled workers whom they have helped train. Forcing these professionals to leave after their studies or a few years of employment weakens teams, slows down projects, and hinders innovation. It also discourages the next generation of entrepreneurs: how can we encourage business takeovers and start-ups if we complicate the path for those who want to invest their future here?

Montreal owes its vitality to its ability to attract and retain talent. If Quebec becomes unpredictable in terms of economic immigration, other North American cities will be able to capture these skills.

Our universities, which are among the pillars of our economic development, are already paying the price. The reduction in opportunities for permanent settlement, i.e., fewer options for obtaining permanent residence in Quebec, is compounded by other worrying signs, such as the decline in university quotas for international students.

As a result, fewer talented individuals are choosing Montreal, and those who study here are now considering leaving once they graduate. This uncertainty is fueling anxiety among both students and the employers who are counting on them.

Criticism is not coming solely from the business community. Municipal officials, citizen groups, academics, and immigration experts have also expressed concerns about the economic and social impacts of such a shift. In Montreal, Quebec City, and Laval, Soraya Martinez, Bruno Marchand, and Stéphane Boyer have each emphasized the importance of stable and predictable economic immigration to support the growth of their cities.

For the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Montreal (JCCM) and its members, this is a fundamental issue. As a volunteer member of the JCCM, I know that the organization has always had clear priorities: promoting entrepreneurship, supporting the next generation of business leaders, enhancing Montreal's appeal, and ensuring an environment conducive to innovation.

The elimination of the PEQ runs counter to these objectives. It complicates strategic planning for businesses, weakens investor confidence, and compromises the competitiveness of our city.

The next premier of Quebec must hear this message. Restoring hope to Montreal's next generation means re-establishing a clear, predictable, and consistent framework for economic immigration. It means recognizing that the talent trained here is a collective investment, not a political adjustment variable.

Quebec has built its prosperity on its boldness and openness.

We have a choice: close the door to those who wish to contribute to our future, or affirm loud and clear that Montreal and Quebec remain lands of opportunity.

For the next generation, for our businesses, and for our international reputation, it is time to make the right choice.