Immigration: The Legault government says no to Montreal
Posted January 27, 2026 2:07 pm.
The Legault government is refusing the relaxations requested in favour of immigrant workers by a united front in the City of Montreal.
Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada and the opposition at City Hall had unanimously demanded on Monday a grandfather clause for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), which has been abolished.
People already established in Quebec and holding a temporary immigration permit could therefore apply to the PEQ.
On the sidelines of the caucus of elected officials from the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), on Tuesday in Trois-Rivières, the Minister of Immigration, Jean-François Roberge, closed the door.
The files of people who had already submitted their application before the abolition of the PEQ will be processed, but no new files will be accepted under the PEQ.
Applicants will now have to apply to the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWPSP).
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
