Immigration | Recent changes in Quebec and Canada

The recent immigration ads have created a wave of shock and uncertainty between immigrant families and Quebec companies. These measures, often taken without prior notice, alter the life projects of thousands of families and put their resistance to the test. The competent workers and graduates, eager to participate in the Quebec economy, now face severe policies that hinder their immigration process.

Alyssa Mansfield, immigration lawyer, offers us her gaze to recent ads and offers solutions to help families navigate in this period of uncertainty.

In less than three months, Five important immigration ads at federal and provincial levels have interrupted the immigration process of thousands of people.. Here are the main changes.

August 28, 2024 : End of the Temporary policy that allows visitors to request a work permit from Canada Without a period of grace. The end of this policy means that a visitor who received an impact study on the labor market (EIMT) and a Quebec (CAQ) acceptance certificate must now request a work permit from outside Canada. This decision affects several employers who already had current files to obtain a work permit for a person qualified in the field.

September 26, 2024 : Changes for Applications to study the impact of the labor market (EIMT) for low wages. From now on, in metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6 % or more (for example, trois-rivières, Montreal, Ottawa-Gatineau), EIMT requests Publications paid less than $ 27.47 per hour will not be processed. Therefore, it is impossible to recruit a temporary foreign worker or renew the permits of those who are already in office.

In addition, the limit of temporary foreign workers in low salary posts is reduced to 10 % in most sectors. For example, in a 20 employee restaurant, this represents a maximum of 2 temporary foreign workers. The maximum duration of the permits goes from 2 to 1 year, which requires the employer and the candidate to begin the renewal procedures practically from the beginning.

October 10, 2024 : Publication of Quebec Law 74 Project to limit the admission of foreign students Depending on the criteria, such as the region and the program. Although a threshold has not been presented at this time, this decision worries schools, especially in the region, where international students contribute largely to the local economy and especially to the survival of study programs.

November 8, 2024 : HE salary threshold to determine if a position is high or with a low salary Increases by 20%. Therefore, the employee threshold in Quebec will fall from $ 27.47 to $ 32.96. If the proposed salary is less than $ 32.96 per hour, the employer must meet the new requirements established on September 26, 2024 for the low salary component, a maximum of 10% of foreign temporary workers in most areas and a maximum 1 year work permit. For companies that had international recruitment, take care of the procedures and costs of reaching thousands of dollars per employee, the current situation requires additional efforts to attract and retain the necessary workforce.

“In practice, 90% of EIMT requests are for positions with an hourly rate of less than $ 32.96. This new measure affects most of our files,” says Alyssa Mansfield.

We often listen to objectives and statistics, but these figures masque the reality of the people and families that have made the decision to build their lives in Quebec. For many, these changes annoy the plans of a lifetime, questioning all the efforts invested in their immigration career for several years.

Several qualified graduates, which have invested in studies in Quebec in the hope of establishing there in a sustainable way, are now in a Unstable situation until June 30, 2025 potentially. It will be necessary to renew the work permits or wait for Quebec in the state of visit until the government decides on the orientations of the next immigration planning of several years.

“Recently, I accompanied a client who had received an EIMT and a CAQ as beneficiaries in a RPA in Quebec. We had just received these two documents and we were reviewing the file for the request of a work permit of the federal authorities. However, however, during the night, it became impossible to submit its application online, the last online, in the state of the visitors in the request of the Emotional Qual.”

Given this situation, it is essential to remain informed and consult qualified professionals to adjust their procedures. In uncertainty and expectation of concrete directives that will specify these measures, here are some tips:

1. Complete regularly in the updates of immigration policies : Ads and changes are followed quickly. Following the evolution of the measures makes it possible to anticipate and react better accordingly. Always be sure to consult information at the source, in official government sites. Disinformation circulates rapidly on social networks.

2. Consult a specialist to develop an adequate strategy : Given the greatest complexity of the procedures, it is reassuring to consult a lawyer or an immigration consultant who can advise him. These experts can help identify the available alternatives, such as permit renewal strategies.

3. Stay optimistic and be patient despite the challenges : Although current ads are disturbing, the situation should evolve.

   We have already observed this phenomenon with the Law that prohibits the purchase of real estate by non -gray residents : Shortly after his ad, this measure was repealed to allow the newcomers to be the owner. This shows that policies can change rapidly in response to market needs.

Despite the current context, the workforce in Quebec remains clear, especially in the manufacturing, education, health, catering and hotels sectors, to name them alone.

Remember that currently, 140,000 positions are empty in QuebecAll combined activity sectors. By 2030, Quebec will need 1.6 million workers to complete a massive retirement, according to Quebec government figures. Given the demographic curve, immigration is essential to stimulate the creation of wealth and meet the economic needs of the province.

Are you affected by these changes? Mansfield immigration remains committed to supporting each family and individual on their installation trip, offering enlightened advice and personalized support. See Alyssa Mansfield, immigration lawyer: https://www.mansfieldimmigration.ca/

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