The PQ won Quebec's October 5, 2026 election. Its platform cuts permanent immigration to 35,000 and halves temporary residents. Here is what to do before the PEQ closes October 31.
The Parti Québécois (PQ) won Quebec's provincial election on October 5, 2026, and its immigration platform is the tightest of any major party in the province. The date that matters most to applicants: the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) intake is scheduled to close on October 31, 2026, and nobody knows yet what the new government will do after that.
PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is set to become premier. Media reports describe the result as a win that falls short of a majority, which would make it a minority government. Final seat counts and the swearing-in date were not confirmed in the sources we reviewed, so treat the details of how stable the government is as unverified for now.
Nothing in Quebec's immigration rules has changed yet. A new government has to be sworn in, appoint an immigration minister, and then change regulations or targets. That takes weeks to months.
According to Moving2Canada's reporting on the platform:
- Permanent immigration: cut to 35,000 a year, down from the current 45,000 (a 22% reduction).
- Temporary immigration: "cut in half," roughly 200,000 to 250,000 fewer temporary residents, including workers and students.
- Economic selection: a temporary pause on recruiting economic immigrants from abroad. Quebec would select from people already living there on temporary status until temporary-resident targets are met.
- Protected sectors: temporary worker access would be kept for agriculture, manufacturing, regional industries and healthcare.
- Grandfathering: the party has signalled support for keeping about 40,000 temporary foreign workers directly selected by Quebec, and was less committed to people who came through federal programs.
These are campaign promises. A minority government may not be able to pass all of them, and none has been turned into regulation.
If you qualify for the PEQ today: file before October 31. The current window has no application cap, but the PQ has not said whether it will extend, narrow or end the program afterward. The details of the current rules are in our PEQ reopening guide. A complete application filed now will be assessed under today's rules, not tomorrow's.
If you are in Quebec on a work or study permit but do not yet meet PEQ criteria: the PQ's "select from inside Quebec" idea works in your favour on paper, since it prioritizes people already in the province. French ability is the common thread across Quebec's programs, so strengthening your French is the safest investment. See our French language guide.
If you are applying from abroad to settle in Quebec: this is the group most exposed. A pause on overseas economic recruitment would hit you directly. Consider whether an Express Entry route outside Quebec is realistic; our Express Entry profile guide explains how to start.
If you plan to live outside Quebec: the election does not change federal programs or other provinces' nominee programs. Quebec runs its own selection, but federal Express Entry rules are separate.
Tip
Do not wait for clarity. If you meet the PEQ requirements now, get your documents, French test results and work-experience proofs in order this month and submit well before October 31. Policy uncertainty is a reason to file early, not late.
- Whether the PEQ gets extended past October 31. This is the first concrete signal of the new government's direction.
- Who becomes immigration minister, and whether the 35,000 target appears in an official plan.
- PSTQ rounds. Quebec's skilled worker program has been issuing invitations regularly, most recently 519 on September 24. Watch whether rounds continue or slow.
- Federal levels plan. Ottawa's 2027-2029 plan is due by November 1; see our levels plan overview.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Always verify information with official IRCC sources and consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.