2017

DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION, DIVERSITY AND

INCLUSION

IMMIGRATION PLAN OF QUEBEC

IMMIGRATION PLAN
QUEBEC

for 2017

Contents

Word from the Minister .............................................. .................................................. ............... 6

1. The legislation ............................................... .............................................. 7
2. Sharing immigration responsibilities ......................................... ........ 7
3. The orientations of the

for the period 2017-2019

4. The objectives of

immigration planning in Quebec

.................................................. ............................................ 8

Quebec immigration plan for 2016

............... 8

4.1. The number of selected people ............................................. ....................... 9

4.2. The number of admitted immigrants ............................................ ............ 9
5. The breeding objectives in 2017 ............................................ ......................................

10

5.1. The number of selection certificates referred ........................................... .....................

10

5.2. The geographical distribution of the selection ............................................ ..................

11

6. Admission objectives in 2017 ........................................... .......................................

12

6.1. The number of immigrants referred ............................................ ..................

12

6.2. The geographic distribution of immigration ........................................... ................

14

Production

This document was designed and produced by the Directorate of Planning, Research and Statistics in collaboration with the Operations Branch o
the Immigration Sector and the Communications Branch of the Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and the 'Inclusion.

Note: All terms referring to individuals are generic sense. They have both the value of a male and a female.

Quebec Government Legal Deposit - Bibliothque et Archives nationales du Qubec in

2016 ISBN: 978-2-550-76809-8 Print version
Electronic version 978-2-550-76810-4

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

immigration

at

always

constituted

the sink strategic for

the

development of Quebec and its regions, demographic, economic, linguistic, social and cultural. It is
expected that immigration contributes to the vitality and sustainability of the French, to meet the need for
labor, the dynamism of the regions, to increase our company's capacity for innovation and the cultural
enrichment through the diverse backgrounds.

I present you today Quebec immigration plan for 2017 which are the levels and composition Admissions
projected on immigration. The objectives it contains stem guidelines adopted following the public
consultation on immigration planning for the 2017-2019 period which ran from June to August this year.
Such guidelines, which are intended to allow Quebec to remain a prosperous, French, diverse and able

meet the needs of its population, received extensive membership.

Planning immigration is the third pillar of the profound transformation of our immigration system; the other two pillars being the immigration
policy, participation and inclusionTogether we Quebecand the new Immigration Act in Quebec. The impact of several measures underway or
planned will start to be felt from 2017, which is why I describe the current planning "transition period."

The Quebec immigration plan for 2017also takes into account our commitment to participate in international solidarity efforts towards refugees. I
am very proud of this commitment and mobilization to welcome the Syrian refugees. This humanitarian operation is reflected, of course, in the
balance sheet of the 2016 admissions and should, in all probability still be reflected in 2017.

Whether the economic class, humanitarian or family reunification, the people who come to Quebec have in common the desire to actively
participate in Quebec society, particularly through the course of employment that matches their skills. We must continue
actions to better support immigrants in learning French and integration.

I welcome the support we received during the public consultation for the proposed guidelines and ongoing work within the department to
improve our ways on immigration, participation and inclusion. We thus have a solid basis for
together build tomorrow's Quebec.

Kathleen Weil

IMMIGRATION PLAN OF QUEBEC FOR THE YEAR 2017

The tabling in the National Assembly

Quebec immigration plan for 2017 East

accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Act in Qubec (chapter I-0.2).
1.

The Legislation

Article 3.0.1 of the Immigration Act in Quebec

specifies that :

The Minister, taking into account government policy concerning immigrants and foreign nationals and of its approach to
immigration, establish an annual immigration plan.

This plan is intended to clarify the planned immigration levels to promote the enrichment of the sociocultural fabric of Qubec a
part of the objectives in selecting foreign nationals.

The plan indicates the maximum or estimated number of foreign nationals who may settle in Quebec or selection certificates
that may be issued and the breakdown of this number by category or within the same category; this number can also be
established by basin
geographical. The plan is established taking into account in particular the overall demand expected selection certificates,
forecasts intake levels and selection and capacity and integration of Quebec.

An area may comprise a country, a group of countries, a continent or part of the continent.

er
November or, if the Assembly seat
The plan is tabled in the National Assembly no later than 1
not on that date later than the fifteenth day following the resumption.

2.

Sharing immigration responsibilities

L' Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration and Temporary Admission of Aliens

Beacon sharing

responsibilities between Quebec and Canada immigration. Briefly, according to the Accord, Quebec ensures the selection of economic immigrant
of refugees abroad and claims processed on humanitarian grounds or public interest. Quebec issue a selection certificate to candidates who mee
its requirements. Immigrants in the family class are not subject to selection. The processing of refugee claims in Canada is the exclusive
responsibility of the federal authorities.

It's the federal government that exercises the authority to grant permanent resident status to applicants who have been selected by Quebec. To
admitted to Canada, a foreign national must meet the requirements of Canadian regulations, which includes in particular the inadmissibility crite
of health, state security and crime.

1 The

Immigration Act in Qubec (SQ 2016, c. 3) adopted by the National Assembly April 6, 2016 and which is not yet in

force essentially repeats the same legislative provisions as regards the planning and immigration plan.

The Quebec immigration plan for 2017

covers the Quebec selection objectives, including

achievement belongs to her, and the admissions of foreign nationals which are established on its territory after obtaining federal permanent
resident status.
3.

The orientations of the

immigration planning in Quebec for the 2017-2019 period

The Quebec immigration plan for 2017

follows the guidelines adopted following the

Public consultation on immigration planning in Quebec for the 2017-2019 period held by the Commission for Relations with Citizens in the
summer of 2016, and aimed at:

4.

1.

Stabilize immigration levels to 51,000 immigrants admitted for the first two years and then increase slightly during the third year to
52 500 in 2019;

2.

gradually increase the share of economic immigration to 63% at end of period;

3.

Increase to at least 40% by 2019 the proportion of immigrants aged 18 and over, the under-skilled worker, and having selected a
temporary worker status in Quebec at the time of selection or international student;

4.

Attach a minimum of 85% the proportion of adults in the sub-category of skilled workers who say they know French to admission;

5.

Ensure that the proportion of successful candidates in the sub-category of skilled workers with training in demand is at least
70%;

6.

Maintain annually at a minimum of 65% the proportion of persons under 35 years in all admissions;

7.

Contribute, together with economic and territorial actors to the development of Quebec's regions by permanent and temporary
immigration;

8.

Continue to promote the diversity of migratory movement from the various regions of the world to support Qubec's economic
dynamism and vitality of the French;

9.

Annually reaffirm the humanitarian commitment of Quebec in hosting refugees and others in need of international
protection.

The objectives of

Quebec immigration plan for 2016

The Quebec immigration plan for 2016

is aligned with the guidelines of the previous

Planning immigration, that of the 2012-2015 period, as the Minister has decided in autumn 2015 to extend for one year the multiannual
planning to also cover the year 2016. In this way the guidelines of the new multi-year immigration planning
for the 2017-2019 period are sitting on the Qubec Policy on immigration, participation and inclusion

Together we Quebec

, Unveiled in winter 2016. They take

Also consider the Immigration Act in Quebec, passed by the National Assembly April 6, 2016.

Thus, the main objectives of

Quebec immigration plan for 2015

were re

that of 2016. However, a different pattern of admission between immigration categories has proved necessary to allow level rise refugees
selected by Quebec. This
8

increase reflects the announcements made by the governments of Canada and Quebec as part of the crisis of Syrian refugees and the time
required for the arrival of these persons in the territory.

Quebec has committed, in autumn 2015, to accommodate 7,300 Syrian refugees in the years 2015 and 2016, equally distributed between the
two years. However, the target for 2015 could not be reached and the refugees who have not been received in 2015, were in 2016. Also, it is
expected that in late 2016 , Quebec would have allowed all 7,300 Syrian refugees it has agreed to receive.

4.1. The number of people selected

The Quebec immigration plan for 2016

was issuing from 41 000 to 46 900 certificates

selection of candidates belonging to the categories covered by the Quebec government. According to recent estimates (August 2016), the
number of selection certificates is expected to be 54 700 certificates (Table 1, p. 11). This increased number is due in part by the number of
additional certificates issued by Quebec for Syrian refugees. Furthermore, government efforts have been made to treat a greater number of
selection of license applications in the sub-category of skilled workers for the implementation of the new immigration system.

4.2. The number of admitted immigrants

The forecasts for 2016 put the total number of immigrants increased in a range from the initial target. This exceeded the planned target is
attributable in particular to the postponement of hosting Syrian refugees who had to be admitted in 2015 and who arrived in Quebec in 2016
as well as an additional number of people in the grouping category family following the decision of the federal government to accelerate the
processing of files in this

category. This forecast is based on data selection and admission available at the end of August 2016. The main expected results are as follows
(Table 3, p. 13)

Quebec Immigration for the year 2016

Plan

The total level of admissions to be between 50 500 and 53 500 people in 2016; the
was between 48,500 and 51,500 immigrants.

The number of eligible immigrants in the economic component should be below the range of

Quebec immigration plan for 2016

. immigration

economic will be in the range 29 600-31 200 people to allow the arrival of a greater number of people in the other categories. - Skilled
workers: between 24,300 and 25,500 admissions, a level close to the terminal

lower than the target (between 25 500 and 27 000 admissions).

- business people (entrepreneurs, investors and self-employed) between 4300 and
4500 admissions, a level below the objective (between 5200 and 5500 admissions) and the level of 2015 (5427), but higher
than in 2014.
- Other economic immigrants: between 1000 and 1200 admissions, compared to a target
between 800 and 1000 admissions. This level would however be the same as that of 2015 (1 112 admissions).

The level of immigrants admitted in the family class component should be between 11,000 and 11,500, a level beyond the range of
the values in the

Quebec immigration plan for 2016

(10 500 to 10 900 admissions).

In the pane of refugees and in similar circumstances, the number of admissions

be located beyond the scheduled range (from 6 000 to 6600) or between 9000 and 9600 people. This over the rising level of
refugees from abroad, especially from Syria. The forecast is as follows:- Refugee selected abroad: up to 2 800 refugees supported by
the State and to

4400 refugees covered by a collective sponsorship, for a total of 6800 to 7200 admissions.
- Refugees from the movement of asylum seekers: between 2200 and 2400 admissions or
a level higher than what had been anticipated (between 1600 and 1800 admissions).

Other immigrants: the expected level is 900 to 1100 people, a number that will exceed the values of the planned range (500 to
600), especially after the lifting of the temporary suspension of removals to Haiti.

The proportion of immigrants declaring know French at the time of admission in 2016 is forecast at 49%, a rate slightly lower than
expected by
orientation related (more than 50%). This knowledge of lower than planned French is attributable among other hospitality more
important to refugees from Syria.

The expected share of admissions under the Quebec selection would be slightly lower than that provided in the

Quebec immigration plan for 2016

74%

To be around

The share of economic immigration to be between 58% and 59%, a lower rate
that provided in the

Quebec immigration plan for 2016. This explains

mainly by the share of refugees or larger similar situation in all admissions in 2016 as planned.

5.

The breeding objectives in 2017

5.1. The number of selection certificates referred

Within the subcategories within the powers of selection of Quebec, between 50 900 and 56 700 selection certificates should be issued in 2017.
The number of people selected for each category should be divided as follows:

Skilled workers: between 38 000 and 41 000;

Business people: between 6 000 and 8 000 people;

Other economic immigrants: between 800 and 1000 people;

Refugee selected abroad: between 5600 and 6000 people;

Other immigrants: between 500 and 700 people.

The targets for 2017 reflect the continuing efforts by the Ministry in 2016 to make the transition to the new immigration system that Quebec is
implementing. They are estimated to ensure the flow of future admissions and also take into account the selection of an additional number of
refugees selected abroad.

10

Table 1 shows the planning of the Quebec selection for 2017, established with the results achieved from 2013 to 2015 and of the results
anticipated in 2016.

Table 1
at

The number of people selected by Quebec

Forecast

Qualified workers
Business people

2013

2014

2015

2016

25835

21409

33802

40000

38000

41000

7905

6047

4577

6200

6000

8000

1338

1236

2828

6385

Other economic categories

Refugee selected abroad

787
1597

Other immigrants

791

Total

2017 Map b

36915

646
32268

1864
47864

Min.

800
7000
700
54700

800
5600

Max.

1000
6000

500
50900

700
56700

at. The numbers have been rounded to the nearest hundred. Therefore, it is possible that the totals do not correspond exactly to the sum of the parts.

b. The planned selection of volumes for 2017 and their breakdown by category, are estimates.
1. Includes caregivers and other economic categories of immigrants.
2. Includes the refugees supported by the state and sponsored refugees.
3. Includes various specific categories selected on humanitarian grounds or public interest.

5.2. The geographical distribution of the selection

In 2017, the distribution of objectives selection of skilled workers and business people, by continent of last residence is established as
follows (Table 2):

The objectives for skilled workers are divided according to the location of candidates able to meet the requirements of the selection grid

The concentration of the selection of Asian business people is justified by the significant immigration from this region offers.

Table 2The objectives selection of skilled workers and business people, for the year 2017, by
continent of last residence
ab

Qualified workers
Min.
Africa

Business people
Max.

Min.

Max.

15200

16400

200

America

3800

4100

200

Asia

9500

10200

Europe

9500

10300

38000

41000

Total

6000

7400
-

6000

200
8000

at. The numbers have been rounded to the nearest hundred. Therefore, it is possible that the total necorrespondent not exactly the
sum of the parts.
b. Planned selection volumes for 2017 and their distribution by category and bassingographique, are estimates.

11

6.

Admission objectives in 2017

6.1. The number of immigrants referred

In 2017, Quebec should accommodate between 49,000 and 53,000 immigrants, with a mid-range set to 51 000 people. This is in line with
government guidelines adopted on immigration for the 2017-2019 period.

Admission objectives for 2017 by immigration category are distributed as follows

(Table 3, p. 13)

Economic Classes: 28 700-31 300 people would be admitted in 2017, a range below that set in 2016. The number of skilled
workers would be between 24,200 and 26,300, that of other immigrants of this component, between 900 and 1 100, while the
intake target in the business class is between 3 600 and 3 900 people.

Family reunification: 11 400 to 11 900 people, slightly higher volume to anticipated admissions for the entire year 2016, in the
wake of the accelerated
processing of files in this category by the federal government.

refugees and persons in similar circumstances: 8 100-8 800 people. The number of refugees from abroad should be between 5 700
and 6 100 people in 2017, including 1 650-1 700 refugees supported by the State and 4 050-4 400 refugees covered by a collective
sponsorship, including sponsored Syrian people. Also, of 2400 to 2700 people in 2017 should be admitted as refugees recognized
locally (including their dependents abroad).

Other immigrants: between 800 and 1000 people could be admitted in 2017.

The share of immigrants admitted under the Quebec selection should be of the order of 72% of total admissions. Economic immigration is
expected to represent 59% of all immigration. Finally, the proportion of immigrants who know French when they
admission would be approximately 51% of the global level.

2.

Admissions from year due largely to the selection made in previous years. The planning exercise therefore takes into account:

the number of people crossing the stage of selection of Quebec;

the proportion of people selected that will lead to their project;

the time taken by the candidates realize their immigration project;

processing times and refusal rates for statutory reasons the federal government.

In terms of categories within the powers of selection of Quebec, the planning exercise is therefore to estimate the number of admissions that will result from the selection,
taking into account the above considerations. With respect to other categories, admission levels enrolled in this plan are the result of a prediction made from the
examination of current trends.

12

Table 3 The number of persons admitted in Quebec

at

Results b
2014

2016 Forecast c

2016 Map
2015

Min.

Max.

Min.

2017 Map d

Max.

Min.

Max.

economic immigration

33469

29954

31500

33500

29600

31200

28700

31300

Qualified workers

29006

23415

25500

27000

24300

25500

24200

26300

3900

5427

5200

5500

4300

4500

3600

3900

1000

1000

1200

Business people
Other economic categories 1
Family reunion
refugees and persons in similar circumstances
Refugee selected abroad

Supported by the State Refugees

sponsored refugees
Refugees recognized locally 3

563

1112

All immigration

900

1100

11333

10493

10500

10900

11000

11500

11400

11900

4861

7610

6000

6600

9000

9600

8100

8800

2287

4600

4400

4800

6800

7200

5700

6100

1515

1632

1900

2100

2600

2800

1650

1700

2968

2500

2700

4200

4400

4050

4400

3010

1600

1800

2200

2400

2400

2700

772
2574
612

other immigrants 4

800

967

500

600

900

1100

800

1000

50275

49024

48500

51500

50500

53500

49000

53000

72%

72%

75%

76%

74%

74%

72%

72%

Share of economic immigration

67%

61%

65%

65%

59%

58%

59%

59%

Proportion of immigrants who know French

59%

56%

> 50%

> 50%

49%

49%

51%

51%

Part of the Quebec selection

at. The numbers have been rounded to the nearest hundred. Therefore, it is possible that the totals do not correspond exactly to the sum of the elements.

b. Preliminary data for 2014 and 2015.

c. Made from data available in late August 2016.
d. The planned intake levels for 2017 and their distribution by category and geographical area, are estimates.
1. Includes caregivers and other economic categories of immigrants.
2. Includes the refugees supported by the state and sponsored refugees.
3. Includes their dependents abroad.
4. Includes various specific categories of immigrants admitted on humanitarian grounds or public interest.
5. Economic migration, refugees from abroad and other immigrants.

13

6.2. The geographic distribution of immigration

3

Admissions planned for 2017 are divided, by continent of residence

, as following :

Africa, 24%; America, 28%; Asia, 33%; Europe, 15%. The distribution of admissions by immigration category is detailed as follows:

Skilled workers come from all continents, but also large proportion of Africa and America.

Business people mainly come from Asia.

Caregiver, which are almost all immigrants from consolidation of other economic categories, mainly from Asia.

Immigrants of the family class come from all continents; Europeans, however, being less numerous.

The geographical distribution of refugees selected by Quebec varies depending on the international situation. In 2017, these people
would come mostly from Asia. As for refugees from the movement of asylum seekers, they would come from America and, to a lesser
extent, Africa and Asia.

Table 4
Admissions planned in 2017, by continent of residenceab
Africa
Min.
Qualified workers
Business people
Other economic categories
Family reunion

America
Max.

Min.

Min.

160

170

220

2303 0803 330

10

10

230

280

Max.

Total

Min.

Max.

Min.

Max.

150

160

660

800

10

10

10

10

5700

6100

40

50

2400

2700

60

70

3600

3900

9001 100

3 3203 4704 3904 5902 4202 5201 2601 320 11 400 11 900
920

990

Refugees recognized locally

500

5601 5301 720

Total

Max.

Europe

7 0207 6206 3906 9405 1905 6305 6106 090 24 200 26 300

Refugee selected abroad

other immigrants4

Asia

80

100

90

640

904 6805 040

320
800

thirty

12 000 12 900 13 500 14 700 16 400 17 700

360
thirty

7100

8001 000

7 700 49 000 53 000

at. The numbers have been rounded to the nearest ten. Therefore, it is possible that totals are rounded to the nearest hundred, do not correspond exactly to the sum of the
elements.
b. The planned intake volumes for 2017 and their distribution by category and geographical area, are estimates.

1. Includes caregivers and other economic categories of immigrants.

2. Includes the refugees supported by the state and sponsored refugees.
3. Includes their dependents abroad.
4. Includes various specific categories of immigrants admitted on humanitarian grounds or public interest.

3 The

geographical distribution of persons who will be admitted in 2017 is based on information on the continent

residence of persons at the time of their application for permanent residence in Canada.

14