Quebec Immigration Lawsuit: Immigrants Sue Government Over PEQ Program Changes

Thousands of foreign workers and international students in Quebec are facing an uncertain future following the abrupt abolition of a primary pathway to permanent residency. The decision by the provincial government to finish the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) has sparked widespread anxiety and legal action from newcomers who argue that the move constitutes a broken promise.

The Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) officially ended on November 19, 2025 Gouvernement du Québec. This sudden termination means We see no longer possible to submit new applications under the two streams of the program, leaving many who had already settled in the province to work or study without the legal certainty they were led to expect.

The fallout has been significant, with reports of “shattered dreams” among immigrants who feel betrayed by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government. Whereas the government maintains that the change is necessary to exert more control over who settles in the province, critics argue that the lack of exemptions for those already present in Quebec is an unjust application of the new rules.

For those affected, the stakes are high. The PEQ was designed to facilitate the integration of temporary foreign workers and graduates from Quebec institutions by providing a streamlined route to permanent status. With its removal, many are now forced to navigate more complex systems or face the possibility of having to leave the province.

The Legal Battle Over the PEQ Abolition

The frustration has transitioned from public protests to the courtroom. Groups of immigrants, including Moroccan nationals, are taking the Quebec government to court, alleging a “broken promise.” These legal challenges seek to force the government to reinstate the PEQ or provide a viable alternative for those who had already invested years of their lives and significant financial resources into establishing themselves in Quebec.

The core of the legal grievance centers on the principle of legitimate expectation. Many newcomers chose Quebec specifically because of the PEQ’s accessibility, believing that meeting the program’s requirements would guarantee their path to permanent residency. The abrupt end of the program on November 19, 2025, has left a vacuum for those who were in the process of qualifying but had not yet filed their applications.

Despite consistent calls for exemptions for newcomers who were already residing in the province at the time of the abolition, the CAQ government has remained rigid. Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge has faced criticism for these changes, but the administration has shown no willingness to compromise on the new immigration framework.

Understanding the Impact on Newcomers

The abolition of the PEQ does not affect applications that were already submitted. The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration (MIFI) has confirmed that all permanent selection requests already filed under the program will continue to be processed Gouvernement du Québec. However, for those who were months away from eligibility, the window has slammed shut.

The emotional and professional toll is substantial. Many international students spent years studying in French and working in the local economy under the assumption that the PEQ would be their gateway to staying. The sudden shift has created a class of “orphans” within the immigration system—individuals who are integrated into the community but lack a legal path to remain permanently.

The government’s stated goal is to increase control over immigration flows, but the human cost involves thousands of individuals who now face precarious legal statuses. This has led to a growing sense of betrayal, as newcomers feel they were used to fill labor gaps only to be discarded when policy priorities shifted.

What Happens Next for Prospective Residents?

With the PEQ no longer an option, the government is directing individuals to declare their interest through Arrima, the province’s online portal for immigration. Prospective residents must now look toward the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) and its associated invitation criteria Gouvernement du Québec.

The transition from the PEQ to the PSTQ represents a fundamental shift in how Quebec selects its permanent residents. While the PEQ focused heavily on the experience gained within Quebec, the new system may introduce different requirements and a more competitive selection process based on the government’s current labor needs and integration goals.

Key Changes at a Glance

For those seeking to add or remove accompanying family members from existing PEQ applications, the government still provides a process to do so, acknowledging that the administrative side of existing files must still be managed.

The ongoing legal challenges will likely determine whether the government is obligated to provide a “grandfather clause” for those who were already in the province. Until a court rules otherwise, the government’s stance remains firm: the new rules are here to stay.

The next critical development will be the progression of the lawsuits filed by affected immigrants, as the courts determine if the provincial government’s actions violated the rights or legitimate expectations of the newcomers. We will continue to monitor the judicial proceedings and any official updates from the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration.

Do you have a perspective on Quebec’s changing immigration policies? Share your thoughts in the comments below or share this article with those affected by these changes.