Press release
Temporary foreign workers, Quebec must give access to permanent immigration to those already here 

Montréal, March 31, 2025 – The Quebec Federation of Labour (QFL) and several of its affiliated unions in the private sector are calling on the government to create an exceptional pathway to permanent immigration for temporary foreign workers already in the province who are no longer able to renew their work permits.

“We absolutely must find a way to open the path to permanent immigration for these workers. They live in our regions, many with their families, and they are often essential to the smooth operation of our factories. Many have already learned French, and Quebec has invested in various programs to help them settle in our communities. Human bonds have been forged. The Quebec government must reach out and allow them to stay here permanently,” says Dominic Lemieux, Quebec Director of the United Steelworkers (USW).

As the federal government tightens access to temporary foreign worker permits, many permits are expiring, forcing workers to leave the province.

QFL General Secretary Denis Bolduc emphasizes that Quebec would benefit from permanently welcoming those already living and working here. “It is urgent to allow the temporary foreign workers currently in Quebec to apply for immigration. Quebec needs them. The future of many companies depends on it. We must put an end to the two-tiered closed work permit system and offer permanent status to those already here, so they can become full citizens with the same rights as everyone else.”

Several QFL-affiliated unions, including the United Steelworkers, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the Service Employees Union (SEU 800), and Unifor, are witnessing the effects firsthand. Even the Premier acknowledges that the needs of the regions must be taken into account.

Recent restrictions on work permit renewals are creating serious challenges on the ground. “In some factories and manufacturing plants, a large portion of the workforce is on temporary permits. With the new restrictions, many of these workers would be forced to leave, jeopardizing production. It is essential to give them the opportunity to stay by granting them permanent immigration status,” argue union leaders Anouk Collet, Senior Advisor to the UFCW National President; Marie Deschênes, Executive Vice-President of SEU 800; and Olivier Carrière, Deputy Executive Director of Unifor. Together, their unions represent several hundred temporary foreign workers.

The selection of permanent immigrants falls entirely under Quebec’s jurisdiction. “Quebec has all the tools it needs to permanently welcome the temporary foreign workers already here, by issuing them a Quebec Selection Certificate. They are ideal candidates, with valuable skills for the labour market, and they are essential to the economic vitality of our regions,” concludes QFL General Secretary Denis Bolduc.

The QFL, Quebec’s largest labour federation, represents more than 600,000 workers.

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Translated into English by SEU 800 from the original French-language press release issued by the QFL.