Canada Announces New Immigration Measures to Support Quebec Workers and Rural Employers
The Government of Canada has introduced temporary immigration measures to address labour shortages in Quebec and rural areas. Eligible temporary foreign workers in Quebec can extend their work permits by up to 12 months, while rural employers are permitted to increase their low-wage temporary worker cap from 10% to 15%.
On March 13, 2026, the Government of Canada announced a new temporary immigration measure designed to support workers and employers in Quebec facing labour shortages. The announcement was made in Saint-Alban, Quebec, by Minister Joël Lightbound on behalf of Minister Lena Metlege Diab.
Under the new initiative, eligible temporary foreign workers in Quebec who have received an invitation to submit a Demande de Sélection Permanente (DSP) under Quebec's Skilled Worker Selection Program may obtain an employer-specific work permit through the International Mobility Program. This extension allows for up to 12 additional months of employment, providing time for Quebec to review eligibility for a Certificat de sélection du Québec before the workers apply for permanent residence.
To qualify for this measure, applicants must hold or have recently held an employer-specific work permit expiring between March 13, 2026, and December 31, 2026. Applications can be submitted via the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website until December 31, 2026, with expedited processing available.
In addition to the Quebec-specific measures, Employment and Social Development Canada introduced changes for rural employers in participating provinces. From April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, these employers will be allowed to increase the percentage of low-wage temporary foreign workers in their workforce from 10% to 15%.
These actions align with the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to reduce temporary resident arrivals while stabilizing permanent resident admissions. The plan targets the transition of up to 33,000 work permit holders to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027. Canada remains committed to reducing the temporary population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027.
The measures respect the Canada–Quebec Accord, under which Quebec has authority to establish its own desired immigration levels and selection criteria for economic immigrants.