Regarding Quebec’s family reunification levels, Federal immigration minister Marc Miller has decided to take action.
In a letter found by Radio Canada, Minister Miller—speaking to his Quebec counterpart Minister Christine Fréchette—detailed the measures he would undertake to see that Quebec’s family reunification levels were up to the standards he felt were suitable.
The ministry was notified, to go ahead with permanent residence applications from family reunification candidates who have got a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) which is given by the ministry, which is equal to approximately 20,500 applications, Miller informed Fréchette.
Miller’s decision represents a possible clashing of jurisdictions. It comes with a backdrop of months-long talks between the Quebec provincial government and the federal government regarding the former’s tight immigration targets for annual family reunification. Quebec’s family reunification targets are set at roughly 10,000 immigrants a year—an immigration cap Minister Miller described in his letter as “artificially low”—many of those who face longer wait times than the federal service standards, to have their application handled.
In July 2023, CTV News Montreal mentioned that in Quebec family reunification takes an average of 24 to 26 months, which is around 10 to 15 months more than the federal government’s standards. Minister Miller confirmed his commitment to delivering decisions on these applications within common federal deadlines—even if it means beyond the immigration targets which was established by the Quebec government.
Between 1971 and 1991, Quebec’s provincial government took many steps to gain increased control over immigration to its province—largely in a bid to preserve its francophone culture and character.
These variations ended in the Gagnon-Tremblay-McDougall agreement, known more commonly as the Quebec-Canada Accord. Under this legislation, the province gained a full selection process of immigrants to its borders; as well as the integration and francization of these people in the province.
Presently, Quebec is legally afforded more control over its immigration than any other province or territory in Canada. This makes Miller’s decision even more important, as it signifies possibly the only time since the signing of the Quebec-Canada Accord, that the federal government has imposed an immigration directive on Quebec.
Quebec’s response to Miller’s decision follows this legal understanding, with Minister Fréchette’s office echoing the need for the federal government to respect Quebec’s jurisdiction over its immigration. The federal method does not respect the will of the Quebec nation. This is unacceptable. Such a decision would have a significant impact on Quebec’s permanent immigration thresholds.
The Quebec immigration ministry also mentioned that it had already been considering avenues for family reunification independent of Minister Miller’s request—that would respect the special needs and decision-making of Quebec’s immigration policies—after the meeting with advocate groups in December for family reunification in the province.
