PEQ: Should we wait for a possible reopening?
In recent weeks, several media outlets have mentioned the possibility of a reopening of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), potentially accompanied by a grandfather clause, following the election of Prime Minister Christine Fréchette on April 12th, 2026.
These prospects stem from the positions expressed by Ms. Fréchette during the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) leadership race. That contest was held to select the new party leader—and ultimately the new premier—following the resignation of former Prime Minister François Legault. At the time, Ms. Fréchette showed attentiveness to the concerns of temporary residents already established in Quebec after the sudden suspension of the PEQ at the end of 2025.
Media interest intensified with the opening of the new parliamentary session on May 5, 2026, and was further reinforced by the appointment of François Bonnardel as Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration.
ccording to some reported statements, the government could relaunch the PEQ for a two‑year period. However, no official announcement has yet confirmed the concrete terms of such a reopening.
Which streams would be concerned?
Prior to its abolition, the PEQ consisted of two streams:
- Quebec Graduates
- Skilled Workers
Both streams were officially abolished on November 19th, 2025, although they had been suspended earlier:
- Quebec Graduate stream: suspended on October 31th, 2024
- Skilled Worker stream: suspended on June 5th, 2025
At this stage, it remains impossible to determine which stream or streams might be reinstated. The relaunch could be limited to the Skilled Workers stream, notably under pressure from the business community, or could include both streams simultaneously.
Who would be eligible?
Uncertainty is just as pronounced regarding the categories of individuals who could benefit from a potential reopening.
The Prime Minister has suggested the idea of ‘offering a grandfather clause to those who had not yet applied to the program at the time it was closed.’ However, several questions remain unanswered:
- Would the clause apply to individuals who were present before the program was suspended, or only to those present before its official abolition?
- Would the previous eligibility criteria be maintained or modified?
When?
No date has yet been announced for a potential relaunch of the PEQ or for the opening of new application intake periods. Moreover, no information has been communicated regarding:
- processing times,
- the processing of pending applications or profiles already in the immigration systems.
It is also worth emphasizing that processing times may be longer than before the program was abolished, especially since the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) is still in force and likely accounts for the bulk of administrative capacity.
A political and immigration context that remains uncertain
The Prime Minister has confirmed her intention to maintain the annual admission target at 45,000 new permanent residents. Of that total, 29,000 would fall under economic immigration, through the PSTQ and a potential relaunch of the PEQ.
The government finds itself in a delicate position as the provincial elections scheduled for October 5th, 2026 draw nearer.
At this stage, no regulatory text or official communication provides concrete support for a reopening of the PEQ, beyond political statements.
Should one wait for a potential reopening of the PEQ?
At present, the only pathway to obtaining a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)—an essential step toward permanent residence—remains the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ).
In this context, it is generally more prudent to act as soon as one becomes eligible or to take steps to maintain legal status in Quebec, rather than waiting:
- a hypothetical reopening of the PEQ,
- or the adoption of a grandfather clause whose terms remain unknown and uncertain.
In other words, when it comes to Quebec immigration, anticipation and proactive action remain the safest strategies in the face of an ever‑evolving regulatory framework.