Quebec Board Advocates for Increased Immigration to Address Demographic Challenges
Quebec’s Board of Trade is recommending a substantial boost in immigration to offset the demographic tightening of the province’s population. The board argues that this surge in immigration is crucial as Quebec’s economy is currently experiencing strong structural growth. According to the board’s president, Charles Milliard, Quebec society is consequently facing a mounting shortage of skilled workers across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and high-tech industries.
To address this issue effectively, the board advises adopting a comprehensive approach to immigration that targets individuals who align with the specific needs of both urban and regional areas in Quebec. Additionally, the board underscores the importance of implementing strategies to mitigate the housing crisis that may accompany the influx of immigrants.
Broadening the discussion, the board also emphasizes the changing demographic weight of Quebec within Canada. The province’s share of the total Canadian population has been steadily declining since 1966, and this trend is projected to accelerate with the adoption of Ottawa’s new immigration targets. To safeguard Quebec’s political influence nationally, the board argues that the current immigration threshold of 50,000 per year should be viewed as a minimum and should increase in the future.
The board recently presented a memo outlining six recommendations to the government related to immigration policies. These suggestions include raising the immigration levels to 60,000 by 2027, defining the integration capacity of Quebec, reducing the waiting times for permanent residency applications, and collaborating with the business community to optimize language integration services for newcomers.
It is worth noting that during the 2022 election campaign, Premier François Legault expressed concerns that surpassing the current threshold of 50,000 newcomers annually would be detrimental to the preservation of the French language in the province. This stance highlights the need to strike a balance between promoting immigration to meet economic demands while ensuring the cultural integrity of Quebec.
By advocating for an increase in immigration levels, the Quebec Board of Trade aims to address the emerging labor shortages and promote economic growth. The board’s recommendations align with the goal of attracting skilled individuals who can contribute to various sectors in both urban and regional areas of Quebec. As the government considers these suggestions, an inclusive and comprehensive approach that takes into account both economic and cultural factors will pave the way for a balanced immigration policy.
