Election Sparks Debate on Immigration
Quebec is heading into a general election campaign that is expected to be called later this week by Premier Christine Fréchette, but voters remain in the dark about how the five major parties plan to address one of the province's most contentious issues: immigration. According to reports from BayToday and SooToday, none of the parties have yet shared their positions on immigration, leaving experts to weigh in on the complex balances the next government will face.
Experts close to the issue say political candidates will have to balance the business community's push for increased immigration against a broader population that wants to moderate intake. This tightrope is the central dilemma facing the upcoming campaign, with an expected election date of October 5.
The Legault Legacy and Advocacy Concerns
Frantz André, head of a Montreal-based migrant advocacy group, told reporters that former premier François Legault's rise to power in the 2018 election was built on anti-immigrant sentiment following Donald Trump's 2016 victory in the United States. “François Legault, based on this perception of an 'invasion,' decided to make immigration his flagship issue. He was elected largely thanks to this strategy," André said, noting Legault's consistent push against temporary resident numbers.
André expressed concern that immigrants had become a scapegoat for the province's struggles, including the housing crisis, a crumbling health-care system, and cuts to education. Meanwhile, Quebec's relations with Ottawa have been strained over programs like fast-track residency and a rural road used by asylum seekers until its closure in 2023.
Experts: A Demographic Dilemma
Pierre Fortin, professor emeritus of economics at the Université du Québec à Montréal, described party leaders as caught "between a rock and a hard place." While more than 70 per cent of Quebecers want a moderate immigration intake, Fortin notes the province has a significant demographic deficit and needs immigrants to fill its workforce. As reported by the two news outlets, Fortin's comments highlight the ideological and practical forces pulling at any future administration.
Marie-Jeanne Blain, a senior researcher at Concordia University's Institute for Research on Migration and Society, hopes the next government will re-examine its relationship with immigration. She points to the termination of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) last November, which prompted protests across the province. The program was later reopened for two years by minister François Bonnardel after Fréchette's ascent in April. Blain believes the termination's effects on employers, schools, and migrants could damage Quebec's international image (as reported by BayToday and SooToday).
Federal Relations and Provincial Powers
Immigration lawyer Maxime Lapointe argues that the next Quebec government needs to rebuild bridges with the federal government and renegotiate the 1991 Canada-Quebec agreement, which grants the province exclusive powers over immigrant selection. Lapointe says Quebec has sought broadercontrol over work permits, international students, asylum seekers, and family reunification, according to the reports.
André also highlighted the vulnerability of migrants arriving from the United States, who are often detained by ICE after being turned away at the border—a reminder of the human impact behind the political decisions.
Outlook
With all five major parties yet to release their immigration platforms, the upcoming campaign promises to be a decisive moment for Quebec's relationship with immigrants and with Ottawa. The next government will face a region in need of labour but a population that remains wary of increased intake. As parties map out their positions, the public will be watching how they reconcile commercial enthusiasm with public anxiety first.