Quebec announces six-month freeze on some temporary foreign workers in Montreal
Posted August 20, 2024 8:45 am.
Last Updated August 20, 2024 7:06 pm.
Premier François Legault announced measures to limit the number of temporary immigrants in Quebec, particularly in Montreal, where the survival of French is particularly threatened, he says.
Legault says Quebec will table a bill to give itself the power to limit the number of foreign students in certain educational institutions “where there has been abuse,” the premier said – but added that they aren’t targeting Concordia and McGill.
He spoke at a press conference Tuesday alongside Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette.
“In the last two years, we’ve seen an increase of 300,000 temporary immigrants,” said Legault. “So, of course, it has a major impact on services like education and healthcare. You can’t accept 300,000 additional people in two years without any impact on the number of teachers you need, the number of nurses you need, the number of houses you need, and the future of French.”
The provincial government will also implement a six-month freeze on applications and renewals related to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in the Montreal region.
“There will be exceptions. Obviously we need teachers, we need nurses, so there will be exclusions,” Legault specified.
The construction and food processing sectors will be among those exclusions, as will workers whose salary is higher than the median salary in Quebec, which is $57,000.
“What we are announcing today is a first step,” the premier said, adding the measures would come into effect Sept. 3.
For several months, the Quebec government has been calling for a “significant and rapid” reduction in the number of temporary immigrants on its territory, arguing the province has exceeded its capacity to accommodate.
Legault says the total number of temporary immigrants across the province has doubled to 600,000 from 300,000 in just two years, putting a strain on housing as well as social services such as health and education.
“When we talk about an additional 300,000, it means more than 100,000 additional houses are needed. There’s no way we can build 100,000 homes within two years,” said Legault.
The premier said there are about 12,000 temporary foreign workers in Montreal and acknowledged that today’s announcement is just a “first step” towards reducing the total number of temporary immigrants.
“I was planning to send the applications this week, actually, for the third time. I guess I’ll have to give up,” said Michael Lafaille, who owns the restaurant Kwizinn in the Old Port.
He says retaining restaurant staff is a challenge so he uses the province’s temporary foreign workers program to fill the gap.
“Right now, I don’t see how I’m going to be able to hire people that I’ve been trying to hire for the last four or five years anyways.”
Minister Fréchette offered different solutions for workers who’s permit may be affected by the six-month freeze.
“Maybe their employer can increase their salary. If it’s possible to increase the salary above $27 per hour, they will be able to renew the work permit for the person,” explained Fréchette. “There is also the option of working outside the island of Montreal. We are willing to see more immigrants establish themselves into other regions.”
“We’re not able to pay that amount…the restaurant industry has small margin and it’s not going to be possible. My average cook salary is $21 per hour. This is what I could offer. I can’t go over that,” said Lafaille.
Legault says the province will also table a bill this fall to give the province the power to limit the number of international students in certain schools.
Small businesses will be hurt, critic says
The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal says it is “concerned” by the six-month temporary immigration freeze, calling it a “worrisome” precedent.
“The announcement of the freeze on a geographic basis does not take into account the reality of the integrated labour market in the metropolitan area,” said the group’s president and CEO Michel Leblanc. “The decision to freeze not only new applications, but also permit renewals will affect skilled, well-integrated workers who meet the real needs of Montreal businesses.
“The businesses most affected will be small businesses already facing challenges with liquidity, financing, supply, recruitment and retention of workers in a still uncertain economic context.”
Leblanc calls it a “loss for our economy.”
“Local businesses have no interest in recruiting abroad when qualified workers are available locally,” he said. “The Temporary Foreign Worker Program was set up in a context of labour shortage and remains relevant despite the slowdown in growth observed in recent months.
“We understand that, over the next six months, more than 12,000 workers will be denied. Many of them are well integrated, have already started learning French or already speak it and are applying for a permit renewal.”
According to the Legault government, the rapid increase in the number of temporary immigrants has added pressure on public services, such as the education and health networks.
This issue has led to a standoff between Quebec and Ottawa, with both parties not agreeing on the exact figures, among other things.
In the second quarter of 2024, Statistics Canada estimated there were 597,140 non-permanent residents in Quebec, up 42 per cent year-over-year.
