Summary#
Bill 592 would create an Immigration Regionalization Act in Quebec. Its objective would be to give an official role to municipalities and regions in decisions related to immigration, reception, and integration.
The bill would establish a regional immigration table for each administrative region of Quebec. Each table would bring together, among others:
- the minister responsible for the region;
- the prefects of regional county municipalities;
- mayors or prefects representing equivalent territories;
- a representative from each of the Indigenous nations or communities in the region.
The tables could also invite organizations and other individuals with relevant expertise.
Each table would be required to prepare a regional immigration plan. This plan would specify, among other things:
- the priorities and objectives of the region;
- labor needs;
- reception and integration capacity;
- immigration targets;
- integration strategies;
- issues related to worker mobility between regions;
- proposals for agreements with employers or local partners.
The minister would have to take these plans into account in his decisions regarding immigration planning. The plans would be reviewed at least every five years and published online.
The bill would also add immigration to municipal competencies. Municipalities, the Montreal Metropolitan Community, and the Quebec Metropolitan Community could create or support reception and integration services. They could also provide assistance to immigrants as part of programs consistent with the regional plan.
The government would need to consult the regional tables before adopting certain immigration rules that could affect municipalities.
Finally, a retroactive provision would state that an amendment to the Immigration Act in Quebec or its regulations would generally not apply to individuals already in Quebec at the time of its coming into force. However, these individuals could request to benefit from the new rule.
What This Means for You#
- Immigrants already in Quebec: some new Quebec rules would not automatically apply to your situation. You could request to take advantage of a new provision if it is beneficial to you.
- Individuals wishing to settle in the region: immigration decisions could take more into account the needs and reception capacity of each region.
- Municipalities and local organizations: they would have a more official role in reception and integration. They could support services, establish partnerships, and offer certain assistance programs.
- Regional employers: labor needs could be considered in regional plans and discussions with authorities.
- Government of Quebec: it would retain the power to make decisions regarding immigration planning but would have to consider regional plans and consult the tables in certain situations.
- Regions and Indigenous communities: they would be represented in the new regional tables, according to the terms set out in the bill.
The text does not specify how disagreements between a region and the government of Quebec would be resolved. It also does not establish a specific mechanism for distributing resources among regions.
Costs#
The bill does not specify the cost of its implementation.
However, expenses may be necessary to:
- create and operate the regional tables;
- prepare, review, and publish regional plans;
- consult municipalities, Indigenous communities, and organizations;
- finance or administer new local reception and integration services.
The share of costs borne by the government, municipalities, or other partners is not specified.
Supporters' Viewpoint#
Supporters might argue that the bill:
- would give regions a more significant voice in immigration decisions;
- would better tailor immigration to local labor needs;
- would promote better planning for reception and integration;
- would recognize the concrete role of municipalities and local organizations;
- would help address the challenges of depopulation and labor shortages in certain regions;
- would improve coordination between Quebec, municipalities, employers, and Indigenous communities;
- would offer more stability to immigrants already established in Quebec through the provision on the retroactive application of new rules.
Opponents' Viewpoint#
Opponents might argue that:
- the bill would assign responsibilities to municipalities and regions without specifying corresponding financial resources;
- regional plans could create expectations that the government would not be obliged to follow, as the minister would only be required to "take into account" these plans;
- the proliferation of tables and consultations could slow down immigration decisions;
- differences between regions could lead to unequal access to services;
- not all municipalities have the same administrative or financial capacity to provide integration services;
- the regional distribution of immigration could complicate the mobility of immigrants between regions;
- the retroactive effect of the proposed protection could raise questions about the rules applicable to individuals already in Quebec.
The bill also does not specify all the criteria that would be used to establish the immigration targets for each region.