7.15°C Vancouver

Oct 31, 2024 6:03 PM - The Canadian Press

Quebec freezes two major immigration streams, citing pressure on services

Share On
quebec-freezes-two-major-immigration-streams-citing-pressure-on-services
Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge said today the government has frozen the Quebec Experience Program, a path for permanent residency for foreign students who have graduated in the province.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

The Quebec government has suspended applications for permanent residency from two immigration streams because it says it can no longer accommodate the rising number of newcomers.

Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge said today the government has frozen the Quebec Experience Program, a path for permanent residency for foreign students who have graduated in the province.

Roberge says the government is also suspending applications from the Regular Skilled Worker Program.

The two immigration streams were suspended today and will be frozen until June 2025 at the latest.

In August, Quebec announced a six-month freeze for certain temporary foreign worker applications in Montreal, and in October the government introduced legislation to cap the number of international students in the province.

Quebec has tussled with Ottawa over immigration in recent months, asking for more power to decide who can settle in the province, and demanding Ottawa forcibly relocate asylum seekers to other parts of the country.

Latest news

ndp-to-table-motion-seeking-federal-ban-on-surveillance-pricing
CanadaApr 13, 2026

NDP to table motion seeking federal ban on “surveillance pricing”

The federal NDP is expected to introduce a motion Wednesday calling on the government to ban a practice it describes as “surveillance pricing,” arguing it unfairly targets consumers using personal data. According to the text of the motion, the practice involves companies using information such as a customer’s search history or the amount of time spent on a webpage to adjust prices, both online and in physical stores. The party says this can result in different consumers being charged different prices for the same product. NDP Leader Avi Lewis said the approach could disproportionately af
school-closed-after-early-morning-fire-at-abbotsford-learning-centre-police-investigating-arson
BCApr 13, 2026

School closed after early morning fire at Abbotsford learning centre, police investigating arson

Abbotsford police say an early morning fire at a local school is being investigated as an arson, according to a police news release. Patrol officers responded at about 3:49 a.m. to a report of a fire at the Bakerview Centre for Learning on the 32600 block of Marshall Road. When officers arrived, Abbotsford Fire and Rescue Service crews were already on scene and extinguishing what police described as a small fire. Police said the blaze caused damage to both the exterior and interior of the building. No injuries were reported. According to the Abbotsford Police Department, the investigation rema
surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-at-surrey-central-residence
CanadaApr 13, 2026

Surrey police investigate early morning shooting at Surrey Central residence

Police in Surrey are investigating a shooting that damaged a home in the Surrey Central area early Monday morning. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, officers responded at حوالي 2:50 a.m. to reports of gunfire near 95 Avenue and 127 Street. When officers arrived, they located a residence with visible damage consistent with gunshots. Police said no injuries were reported among the occupants of the home. The Surrey Police Service Major Crime Section is leading the investigation, with support from Integrated Forensic Identification Services, according to the release. Investig
carney-signals-shift-on-u-s-ties-defence-spending-in-montreal-speech
CanadaApr 13, 2026

Carney signals shift on U.S. ties, defence spending in Montreal speech

Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a closing address at the Liberal Party’s national convention in Montreal on Saturday, outlining a tougher position on Canada–U.S. relations and a planned shift in defence spending. According to remarks made during the convention, Carney said Canada would move away from past defence procurement patterns in which a significant portion of spending flowed to the United States. He told party members that future investments would be directed more toward domestic capacity. The statement drew a standing ovation from attendees. Carney’s comments come as Canada
AlbertaApr 13, 2026

Proposed Blue Line LRT extension to Calgary airport enters field study phase

The City of Calgary says preliminary field work is set to begin this month as part of planning for a potential northward extension of the Blue Line LRT toward the airport. According to a city notice, crews will conduct on-site investigations along the proposed corridor to 88th Avenue N.E., including assessments of ground conditions, groundwater levels and site-specific details needed for early-stage design. The work is part of the city’s long-term transit planning and would inform future decisions by council on whether to advance the project, including funding, design and timelines. The airp

Related News