17.12°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

almost-half-of-canadians-want-the-temporary-foreign-worker-program-eliminated-poll
CanadaSep 08, 2025

Almost half of Canadians want the Temporary Foreign Worker program eliminated: poll

A new poll suggests 44 per cent of Canadians want to see the temporary foreign worker program scrapped as the country grapples with high unemployment, especially among young people. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recently proposed eliminating the program in response to high youth unemployment. The new Abacus Data poll, which was conducted online and can't be assigned a margin of error, suggests that support for eliminating the program is higher among younger age cohorts, topping 50 per cent of 30- to 44-year-old respondents and hitting 48 per cent of those 18 to 29. Support for ending th
union-to-announce-next-phase-of-b-c-public-service-strike
BCSep 08, 2025

Union to announce next phase of B.C. public service strike

The president of the B.C. General Employees’ Union is set to make an announcement this morning laying out the next phase of the union's public service strike. The union says Paul Finch is scheduled to speak at a picket line in Surrey on the fifth consecutive day of picketing following the launch of job action last Tuesday. The union represents more than 34,000 members working for B.C.'s public service and has held picket lines at locations including government sites in Victoria, Surrey, and Prince George, and the Royal BC Museum. It says some of its key asks include competitive wages and fai
radio-connect-fm-canada-extends-a-helping-hand-to-the-flood-victims-of-punjab
CanadaSep 08, 2025

Radio Connect FM Canada extends a helping hand to the flood victims of Punjab

Connect FM Radio has decided to run a special donation and fundraising campaign on Monday, September 8, as a special initiative to help the flood affected families of Punjab. This program is being run in collaboration with Guru Nanak Food Bank Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib Surrey and Sanjha TV. The funds collected under this program will be delivered to Punjab through capable hands to the flood affected families so that their lives can be brought back on track. This program is expected to receive great support from all Canadians and especially the Punjabi community.
canadas-dabrowski-and-partner-routliffe-win-u-s-open-womens-doubles-title
EnglishSep 05, 2025

Canada's Dabrowski and partner Routliffe win U.S. Open women's doubles title

Canadian tennis player Gabriela Dabrowski has won the US Open Grand Slam title with her New Zealand partner Erin Rutliff. The Canadian player won the women's doubles title in straight sets with her partner. Together, the two defeated the pair of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-4. Earlier, Gabriela Dabrowski also won the US Open title in 2023. Pawan Sahni, of Newton Tennis Club in Surrey, says “the win is a boost for Canadian tennis.” He added, on one hand, just a few weeks ago, young player Victoria Mboko won the Canadian Open title, and now, with Canada's senior player win
BCSep 05, 2025

Coquihalla Highway reopened following wildfire closure

The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) between Hope and Merritt has reopened in both directions following a closure caused by the Mine Creek wildfire. Due to the proximity of the fire, drivers should be prepared for the Coquihalla Highway to be closed with minimal notice. Drivers are advised to not stop in the fire zone. Intermittent lane closures can be expected as crews continue to assess and repair roadside damage, and visibility is reduced due to wildfire smoke. Drivers should also be prepared for an increased risk of wildlife presence due to fire damage to wildlife-exclusion fencing on this s

Related News