Quebec suspends foreign recruitment missions until mid-2025

The Quebec government has announced a suspension of its international recruitment missions until mid-2025, as part of broader efforts to limit the number of temporary residents in the province. The decision will halt the Journées Québec recruitment missions, which have been instrumental in hiring engineers, IT specialists, nurses, and teachers from regions such as Europe and Africa to address Quebec's labor shortages.

Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge confirmed the suspension, stating that it aligns with the government’s aim to curb the rapid increase in temporary residents, whose numbers have doubled from 300,000 in 2021 to nearly 600,000. In recent months, the government has also introduced measures like freezing certain temporary foreign worker applications in Montreal, capping the number of international students, and pausing key pathways to permanent residency.

The government plans to reassess its immigration strategy, with new guidelines expected in June 2025. Roberge emphasized that the revised plan will, for the first time, consider the total number of temporary workers and students in Quebec. He noted that this approach will help address labor needs more effectively.

Business and Labor Concerns

The business community has expressed concern over these measures. Denis Hamel, strategic advisor for Quebec’s largest employer federation, warned that companies might face closures or reduced operations within a year due to labor shortages. Hamel called for a depoliticized discussion on labor needs.

Similarly, Michel Leblanc, president of the Montreal Chamber of Commerce, criticized the suspension, stating, "We’re undoing something that was highly strategic." Both leaders argue that the restrictions could harm the province’s economic growth.

Impact on Teacher Recruitment

According to government data, the Journées Québec initiative has recruited approximately 450 teachers, including 100 from Africa, over the past four years. However, the government recently halted teacher and nurse recruitment from African nations, citing ethical concerns. Recruitment missions in Cameroon and Ivory Coast have been temporarily suspended, though individuals from these regions can still apply independently.

Teacher unions argue that foreign recruitment has not resolved labor shortages and highlight challenges in retaining staff. Mélanie Hébert, president of the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement, noted that while foreign teachers bring valuable expertise, their training often requires adaptation to Quebec’s educational context.

Lori Newton, president of the Montreal Teachers Association, mentioned that the English Montreal School Board has recruited around 15 teachers from France in recent years, primarily for French-language positions, with no significant impact on English teaching staff.

Final Recruitment Efforts

The Ministry of Education continues to process between 600 and 700 applications annually from teachers trained outside Canada. The last scheduled Journées Québec recruitment mission is set to take place in Paris in the coming days, marking the conclusion of this initiative for the foreseeable future.