In its immigration reform project debated in the fall, the Legault government grants students at French-speaking universities benefits that students at English-speaking universities are not entitled to.

These new measures, aimed at encouraging French-speaking immigration through studies, have provoked several negative reactions.

“Can we forego these talents by putting obstacles in the way of their life plans in Quebec? ” asks Fabrice Labeau, first associate director of academics and student life at McGill University. “We work hard to help our students who don’t speak French learn. »

This reform, announced in June, consists in particular of the review of the selection conditions for the Quebec Graduates component of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). Foreign nationals who graduate here will have rapid and almost certain access to permanent residency, and there will be no limit on the number of eligible applicants per year.

These new residents are also not included in Quebec’s annual immigration thresholds.

But there’s a catch. This modified PEQ is only intended for students who have studied French in Quebec or who have studied French full-time for at least three years, that is, in most cases French people studying in English.

The others, i.e. students from English-speaking universities who have not studied French for three years, do not have access to this PEQ, even if they speak and master French. To obtain permanent residency, they must enroll in the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), a path with more restrictions. Or apply in another province.

Support the growth of French

With this new PEQ, the Legault government aims to increase the retention of foreign doctoral students in Quebec, while favoring French speakers to ensure that increasing immigration supports the growth of French.

Indeed, the development of English in Quebec between the 2016 census and the 2021 census is largely due to the increase in the number of temporary residents, whose first official language is often English. Almost half of them are foreign students.

In addition, data from the last census showed that learning English at the post-secondary level is an important factor in the use of this language in the workplace in Quebec, particularly by allophones.

The French Language Commissioner Benoît Dubreuil also noted in his first report presented in June that the use of English in public spaces and in the workplace is closely linked to the completion of post-secondary studies in that language.

” Not you ”

But this strategy could make English-speaking universities less attractive to foreign candidates. “It suddenly becomes more complicated for our students who have a life plan in Quebec,” explains Mr. Labeau of McGill University. There is a difference for these people who saw themselves in Quebec and were suddenly told: No, not you. »

According to Mr. Labeau, around 20% of foreign students at McGill University choose to stay in Quebec at the end of their studies.

“The retention rate for French students does not seem to be higher than the average for international students,” he says. Therefore, many people are faced with a project that needs to be extended. »

Concordia University also disputes the new PEQ rules. “The changes regarding at least three years of secondary or post-secondary study in French are restrictive and we fear that we will be deprived of immigrants – and skilled workers – who have studied here, know Quebec well and are often integrated” from a personal and professional perspective and are already in the process of francization,” says spokeswoman Vannina Maestracci.

The Montreal Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (CCMM) agrees. In its brief submitted for consultation in July, the Chamber considers that blocking access to the PEQ for students at English-speaking universities such as McGill and Concordia would have an impact not only on the attractiveness of Quebec, but also on enrollments at these institutions.

“It is imperative that the best talents – as long as they wish to continue their studies in Quebec, learn French and settle there permanently – can continue to benefit from the same opportunities as students at French-speaking universities,” stresses the organization.

According to the CCMM, any candidate who demonstrates sufficient knowledge of French “should automatically be eligible if they meet the other criteria.”

“By excluding students from English-language educational institutions, Quebec risks depriving itself of strategic talent for the benefit of other provinces in many cutting-edge economic sectors, such as artificial intelligence, life sciences and health technologies,” the Chamber of Commerce states.