Protesters in Montreal gathered outside the office of Quebec Premier François Legault, urging the province to speed up its handling of family sponsorship applications. Recent information from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) highlights significant differences in processing times for family sponsorship applications between Quebec and the rest of Canada.

1. Immigration Challenges in Quebec:
Delays and Language Policy
Protesters in Montreal gathered outside the office of Quebec Premier François Legault, urging the
province to speed up its handling of family sponsorship applications.
Recent information from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) highlights significant
differences in processing times for family sponsorship applications between Quebec and the rest of
Canada.
For instance, while it takes just 12 months to process a spousal or common-law partner sponsorship
outside Quebec, the same process takes around 30 months within the province.
The wait time for sponsoring a parent or grandparent can stretch up to 51 months (over four years) in
Quebec, nearly double the 26 months it takes elsewhere in Canada.
Processing times for dependent children also vary widely depending on their location.
How to migrate to Canada? Read details by clicking on the link.
In a letter addressed to Quebec Immigration Minister Christine Frechette, a collective of more than
1,800 families named Québec Réunifié expressed their discontent with the delays in family sponsorship
applications. They emphasized the urgency of the situation and urged the government to take swift
action.
The group deemed these delays unacceptable, highlighting the adverse effects they have on families,
including psychological distress and deteriorating mental and physical health due to separation.
Québec Réunifié demanded that the provincial government intervene and ensure that family
sponsorships in Quebec are processed within a maximum period of 12 months. They called for
immediate action to address the challenges faced by families longing to reunite.
In February, Québec Réunifié found support from Quebec provincial politician André Morin, who serves
as the immigration critic for the provincial Liberals. Morin highlighted the significant impact of delays in
family sponsorship applications, particularly on children, suggesting that such delays may violate
international laws safeguarding children's rights.
Morin emphasized the importance of those waiting to join their families in Quebec, noting that many
already have established lives, including homes and proficiency in French, making them valuable
contributors to Quebec society.

2. He criticized the lengthy processing times for family sponsorships as inhumane, pointing out the
emotional strain of waiting up to three years or more to reunite with a spouse who is currently residing
outside the country.
Criticism of Immigration Critic Regarding Slow Processing Times for
Sponsorships
"It's inhumane. These endless delays, driven by the ideological stubbornness of the Coalition Avenir
Québec (CAQ), are simply unacceptable in a welcoming society like Quebec. The CAQ government needs
to shift gears and work towards solutions, reaching an agreement with Ottawa because we're dealing
with human lives here."
These remarks from the Member of the National Assembly came amidst a lawsuit filed by an
immigration lawyer against the government, challenging its handling of the immigration portfolio dating
back to 2018.
The lawyer argued that the Canada-Quebec Accord, which dictates how immigration matters are
managed in Quebec, does not authorize the province to impose a cap on family sponsorships.
Despite there being 38,400 Quebeckers eagerly awaiting reunification with their families, the province
presently only accepts a maximum of 10,600 sponsorships per year. At the current processing rate for
family sponsorships in Canada, it will take three years to clear the backlog of applications.
"Why does it take three times longer to process a spousal sponsorship application in Quebec compared
to the rest of the country?" questioned Morin.
"Due to the CAQ's chaotic and ideological approach to immigration, it has effectively created two tiers of
citizens in Canada. We propose that the minister implement a 24-month plan to address the backlog and
finally allow these 38,400 Quebecers to reunite with their families."
Quebec Premier François Legault has consistently affirmed his stance on immigration, asserting his
commitment to preserving the French language and indicating his government's unwavering dedication
to this cause.
Quebec Premier Stands Firm on Immigration Policy for the Province
The premier has proposed measures to restrict all economic immigration to Quebec to French-speaking
individuals by 2026.
"As premier of Quebec, my foremost duty is to safeguard our language and identity," Legault stated. "In
recent years, we've witnessed a decline in the use of French in Quebec. Since 2018, our government has
taken steps to protect our language, surpassing the efforts of any previous administration since the
enactment of Bill 101 during the Levesque era.
"However, if we aim to reverse this trend, we must take further action. Our objective by 2026 is to
primarily welcome French-speaking economic immigrants. As Québécois, it's our responsibility to speak
French, to perpetuate our culture daily, and to take pride in it."

3. Many temporary workers and international students in Quebec, initially arriving on work or study
permits respectively, often seek permanent residency in Canada through programs such as the Federal
Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) within the
federal Express Entry system, or through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) offered by various
provinces.