2019-10-31 – Quebec plans to welcome up to 44,500 new immigrants in 2020, an increase from the maximum of 42,000 in 2019, the provincial immigration ministry announced on Wednesday, October 30.
The French-speaking province also plans to issue up to 24,700 Quebec Selection Certificates to prospective new Quebec permanent residents.
After reducing immigration targets in 2019, the governing Coalition Avenir Quebec is planning to gradually increase the numbers back to 2018 levels by 2022.
The CAQ reduced immigration targets, from roughly 50,000 in 2018 to 40,000 in 2019, a 20 percent drop.
This followed through on a promise Premier Francois Legault’s party made during the 2018 provincial election campaign.
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Quebec’s 2020 Immigration Levels Plan
| 2019 | 2020 | |||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | |
| Economic | 21,700 | 24,300 | 25,500 | 26,300 |
| Family | 8,900 | 9,400 | 9,900 | 10,200 |
| Refugee | 6,800 | 7,500 | 7,200 | 7,500 |
| Others | 600 | 800 | 400 | 500 |
| Total | 38,000 | 42,000 | 43,000 | 44,500 |
According to the plan tabled before the Quebec Assembly, the main increases are expected in the Economic Class and the Family Class.
The maximum Economic target for 2020 is 26,300, compared to 24,300 in 2019. For Family Class immigration, the maximum target rises to 10,200 in 2020, from 9,400 in 2019.
For Refugees, the maximum target is the same, at 7,500 newcomers.
Quebec’s 2020 Selection Certificate Targets
| 2019 (Projected) | 2020 | ||
| Min | Max | ||
| Skilled Workers | 14,900 | 12,500 | 15,000 |
| Business | 3,000 | 2,100 | 2,800 |
| Other economic | 500 | 600 | 800 |
| Refugees | 5,500 | 4,500 | 5,500 |
| Others | 600 | 400 | 600 |
| Total | 24,500 | 20,100 | 24,700 |
The Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) target is set to remain stable or drop slightly compared to 2019 figures.
The CSQ is the document issued by Quebec which candidates then take to the federal government to have their permanent residence ratified.
An upper limit of 24,700 CSQs compares to a projected number of 24,500 set to be issued this year. The lower limit for 2020 is 20,100 certificates.
Skilled workers are expected to be issued between 12,500 and 15,000 CSQs in 2020, compared to a projected 14,900 in 2019.
The immigration levels plan was announced alongside a series of Quebec immigration changes on Wednesday.
Others included the suspension of applications under the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program, the introduction of a Quebec values test for new immigrants, and changes to the requirements for the Quebec Experience Program.
