Immigration Minister imposes higher levels of family reunification on Quebec
has chosen to take action regarding Quebec鈥檚 family reunification levels.
In a letter obtained by Radio Canada, Minister Miller鈥攕peaking to his counterpart Minister Christine Fr茅chette鈥攄etailed the measures that he would undertake to see that Quebec鈥檚 family reunification levels were up to the standards he felt were appropriate.
鈥淚 have decided to instruct my ministry to process permanent residence applications from applicants who have received a (CSQ) issued by your ministry, i.e. the equivalent of approximately 20,500 applications鈥 Miller wrote to Fr茅chette.
This decision by Miller represents a possible clashing of jurisdictions and comes with a backdrop of months-long talks between the Quebec provincial government and the federal government regarding the former鈥檚 tight immigration targets for yearly family reunification. Quebec鈥檚 family reunification targets are set at roughly 鈥攁n immigration cap Minister Miller described in his letter as 鈥渁rtificially low鈥濃攎any of whom face far longer wait times than the federal service standards, to have their application processed.
In July of 2023, CTV News Montreal reported that family reunification in Quebec takes an average of 24 to 26 months鈥攔oughly 10-15 months longer than the federal government鈥檚 standards. Minister Miller affirmed his commitment to delivering decisions on these applications within usual federal deadlines鈥攅ven if it means exceeding the immigration targets established by the Quebec government.
Why Quebec is different from the rest of Canada
Between 1971 and 1991, Quebec鈥檚 provincial government took multiple steps to gain increased control over immigration to its province鈥攍argely in a bid to preserve its francophone culture and character.
These changes culminated in the Gagnon-Tremblay-McDougall agreement, known more popularly as the Quebec-Canada Accord. Under this legislation, the province gained full selection process of immigrants to its borders; as well as the integration and francization of these individuals in the province.
To this day, Quebec is legally afforded more control over its immigration than any other province or territory in Canada. This makes Miller鈥檚 decision even more consequential, as it represents possibly the only time since the signing of the Quebec-Canada Accord, that the federal government has imposed an immigration directive on Quebec.
Quebec鈥檚 response to Miller鈥檚 decision follows this legal understanding, with Minister Fr茅chette鈥檚 office echoing the need for the federal government to respect Quebec鈥檚 jurisdiction over its own immigration: 鈥淭he federal approach does not respect the will of the Quebec nation. This is unacceptable. [鈥 Such a decision would have a considerable impact on Quebec's permanent immigration thresholds.鈥.
The Quebec immigration ministry added that it had already been considering avenues for family reunification independent of Minister Miller鈥檚 request鈥攖hat would respect the special needs and decision making of Quebec鈥檚 immigration policies鈥攁fter the office met with advocate groups for family reunification in the province in December.
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