CAQ leadership candidate Fréchette promises to revive fast-track immigration program

CAQ leadership candidates say they will reassess the stricter worker program after backlash from employers and immigrants.

Christine Fréchette, leadership candidate for the Coalition Avenir Québec, is promising to revive a popular fast-track immigration program that her government had recently ended.

She says if she’s elected to replace Premier François Legault, she would reopen the Programme de l’expérience québécoise — known as the PEQ — for two years.

The decision by the Legault government to end the PEQ in November sparked street protests and strong criticism from municipal politicians and business leaders who feared that qualified workers would be forced the leave the province.

Fréchette’s rival in the leadership race, Bernard Drainville, has said he would offer a “grandfather clause” for the PEQ, allowing people in priority sectors, like education or health care, to remain in the province.

The PEQ has become a sensitive topic in the leadership race, as the CAQ has long promised to reduce the number temporary immigrants, who Legault says are putting pressure on services.

• READ MORE: Organizations pushing Quebec to adjust immigration targets to ease labour shortage

Earlier today, Legault said a grandfather clause would potentially allow up to 350,000 temporary immigrants in Quebec a fast-track to permanent residency.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2026.

The Canadian Press