End of Quebec’s PEQ raises risk of professor departures, UQAM union urges transition measures

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published January 29, 2026

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he union representing professors at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) says the end of Quebec’s Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) could force some faculty members to leave the province, calling on the Quebec government to adopt transition measures or “acquired rights” to prevent losses in teaching capacity and research continuity.

Reporting cited by the union indicates roughly 20 UQAM professors could be affected, as the PEQ had long been viewed as a fast track toward permanent residency for qualifying temporary workers and graduates already established in Quebec.

The PEQ officially ended on November 19, 2025, while previously filed applications continue to be processed. For new applicants, the main pathway has shifted to the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), accessed through the Arrima platform, according to explanations circulating in legal and policy briefings tied to the change.

Quebec Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge has said publicly that “a lot of misinformation” has circulated about the PEQ’s end, stressing that files already submitted under the old system will be handled, and that those who had not applied must use the new selection-based process.

Unions warn that losing professors and researchers would have direct consequences for course delivery and long-term research projects, while the government frames the broader shift as part of an immigration planning approach more tightly linked to selection priorities and capacity considerations.