“We understand that the government wants to make cuts to immigration, but we want to make it clear that people who are already here are affected by these problems.”
In response to the government’s announced freeze on immigration programs, an immigrant rights organization held a demonstration in Montreal early Saturday afternoon in front of the office of the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration.
These announcements have prompted Le Québec c’est nous aussi (LQCNA) to step up. The organization argues that the decisions by both levels of government, particularly the provincial decision, are undermining all the steps taken by migrants already on Quebec soil.
LQCNA stated in a press release that the measures announced will make it “impossible” for thousands of people to renew their work permits and “to access permanent residency.”
For migrants, the process of coming to Quebec can take several months, if not years. The organization warns that these moves “also risk permanently putting off anyone who wants to come study or work in Quebec in the future.”
“The news came so suddenly,” said Claire Launay, president of LQCNA, who led the protest. “We understand that the government wants to make cuts to immigration, but we want to make it clear that people who are already here are affected by these problems.”
One person at the demonstration, Federico Benavides, moved from Spain to Quebec eight years ago. He was already struggling with the difficulty and length of the immigration process. Now he is forced to make an express entry and is considering leaving for Ontario, even though he has learned French since moving here.
Another protester in the group, Amir Azad, says he has spent a lot of effort and money to immigrate to Quebec. The young mechanical engineer from Iran studied in English, learned French and passed language tests to be eligible to file his CSQ application. He says all his efforts have gone up in smoke. He, too, is considering changing provinces to be able to stay in Canada.
The protesters criticize the government for not taking into account that people have already started their immigration process.
The LQCNA is demanding the government end the freezes on the issuance of closed work permits, the PSTQ and the PEQ for graduates, and to guarantee these programs for the next five years.