Increasing permanent immigration for now could reduce temporary residency: Institut du Québec

Newcomers arrive in Quebec.

Temporarily increasing the number of new permanent immigrants to Quebec could reduce reliance on temporary residency, according to the Institut du Québec (IQ).

In a new report unveiled on Wednesday, IQ suggests several possible courses of action in a context where Quebec and Ottawa are seeing a decline in immigration flows compared with recent years.

In one scenario, IQ proposes that Quebec plan for a temporarily higher permanent immigration threshold, up to 90,000.

This target would be accompanied by a “clear trajectory” back towards 60,000, “to allow the integration of skilled temporary residents already present and to reduce delays in access to permanent residence.”

IQ points out that Quebec could facilitate the transition to permanent residency for highly skilled temporary residents and maintain a pathway to permanent residency for international students who have graduated in Quebec.

According to IQ, “it is preferable to focus on permanent immigration rather than temporary residency” since “people who choose to settle permanently make a greater contribution to Quebec society and the economy.”

“That said, temporary residents play an essential role in meeting certain specific labour market needs or serving as a gateway to permanent residence for skilled profiles,” adds IQ.

The institute says it has also explored scenarios where Quebec would set its permanent immigration thresholds at 35,000 or 60,000, but believes that this would force the province to take in more temporary residents to meet needs.

There are currently around 600,000 temporary residents in Quebec.

For several months now, Quebec Premier François Legault has been hammering home the point that Quebec’s capacity to take in newcomers has been exceeded and that temporary residents are putting pressure on housing and public services.

– This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 4, 2025.