Quebec Premier François Legault announced a six-month moratorium on the intake of new temporary foreign workers for low-wage jobs in Montreal, beginning in February. The freeze, aimed at reducing the number of temporary immigrants in the province, comes amid growing concerns over the economic and social impacts on both the local workforce and the small business community.
Premier Legault’s announcement marks a significant shift in Quebec’s immigration policy. The moratorium applies to all new applications from temporary foreign workers earning less than $57,000 annually who wish to work in Montreal. Moreover, those already employed under this wage threshold will be unable to renew their contracts during this period. The freeze does not apply to workers in certain essential sectors, including education, agriculture, construction, and healthcare, where labor shortages are particularly acute.
Quebec will impose a moratorium on new applications and renewals for temporary workers on the Island of Montreal. This moratorium will exclude jobs paying $57,000 and above, as well as jobs in education, healthcare, food processing, and construction.
Legault emphasized that this decision is part of a broader strategy to reduce Quebec’s reliance on temporary foreign labor, which the government believes is necessary to address long-term economic sustainability and social integration challenges. “We take action today so I hope the federal government won’t use this argument anymore and finally make a move to reduce the number of immigrants,” Legault stated, signaling a call to Ottawa to take parallel measures at the federal level.
The freeze is expected to impact approximately 3,500 temporary foreign workers in Montreal. For many small businesses, which rely heavily on low-wage labor, this policy could result in significant operational challenges. Industries such as hospitality, retail, and food services, which are already grappling with post-pandemic labor shortages, are likely to feel the brunt of the freeze.
Local business owners and industry groups have expressed concern over the potential economic fallout by highlighting the critical role that temporary foreign workers play in sustaining the operations of many local businesses. The reduction in available workers could lead to increased labor costs, reduced hours of operation, and even the closure of some businesses that are unable to adapt to the sudden shortfall in staff.
Premier Legault’s government has also indicated that this freeze is part of a larger legislative agenda that includes introducing a bill to restrict the number of international students in Quebec. The government argues that the rapid increase in temporary immigration and international students has outpaced the province’s capacity to integrate newcomers, leading to challenges in housing, healthcare, and education.
The federal government’s response to Quebec’s freeze will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for other provinces grappling with similar issues. If Ottawa decides to follow Quebec’s lead, it could result in significant changes to Canada’s overall immigration strategy, potentially shifting the balance of power between federal and provincial governments in this key policy area.
As the province braces for the impacts of this policy, the decision will undoubtedly spark further debate about the future of immigration in Quebec and Canada as a whole. Whether this freeze will achieve its intended goals or lead to unintended consequences remains to be seen, but it is clear that the decision marks a significant turning point in Quebec’s approach to immigration and labor policy.