Outgoing Premier Fran\u00e7ois Legault said in January that he would resign<\/a> after serving as the head of the CAQ \u2014 the party he co-founded \u2014 since its inception.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here’s why immigration and the provincial budget remain up in the air while the party chooses its next leader \u2014 and the next Quebec premier.<\/p>\n Why are economic immigrants in limbo?\u00a0<\/p>\n Applicants for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) \u2014 a pathway to permanent residency for economic immigrants \u2014 remain in limbo as CAQ leadership candidates debate whether to grant exemptions or temporarily reopen the program.<\/p>\n The Legault government abolished<\/a> the PEQ in November 2025, making the Skilled Worker Selection Program<\/a> (PSTQ) the only route for those wishing to settle in Quebec for economic reasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n Quebec said it would continue to process PEQ applications received before the fast-track program ended, but they would be evaluated based on criteria for the PSTQ.<\/p>\n Officials from Montreal, Quebec City, and Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Que., called on the provincial government to make an exception for pending PEQ applicants, especially much-needed skilled workers, since they have already joined the workforce.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Blanchard, president of the Association of Private Long-Term Care Facilities of Quebec, said at a news conference last Wednesday<\/a> that the PEQ uncertainty has shaken 655 workers of the association’s facilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n “It is truly a shame to cause such anxiety for a population that stepped up to help us, especially after COVID,” Blanchard said.\u00a0<\/p>\n He and elected officials, including mayors of big cities<\/a>, have expressed concern over these workers leaving Quebec for Ontario \u2014 where their residency application might be processed faster.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Will the government revive the PEQ?\u00a0<\/p>\n Former Quebec economy minister Christine Fr\u00e9chette said if she becomes leader, she would reopen the PEQ for two years to exempt applicants who were in Quebec before the government abolished the program. She also said she would reduce invitations under the PSTQ by the same number to respect the province’s immigration targets.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Bernard Drainville \u2014 Quebec’s former environment minister \u2014 promised to exempt French-speaking skilled workers in health care, education, construction and specialized manufacturing who settled in Quebec before the program’s end.\u00a0<\/p>\n Immigration Minister Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Roberge has said he ordered a study of the “various transitional measures” for economic immigration pathways in Quebec in light of his ministry abolishing the PEQ. <\/p>\n Findings would be presented to the next CAQ leader and premier, he said. \u00a0<\/p>\n When will the government table the budget?\u00a0<\/p>\n Since the CAQ came to power in 2018, Finance Minister Eric Girard has tabled the annual provincial budget between March 10 and March 25 \u2014 at least a week before the government\u2019s March 31 fiscal year end.<\/p>\n However, with the CAQ leadership race underway, Girard has remained tight-lipped about when to expect the 2026-27 budget.<\/p>\n Depending on when Girard tables the budget, any delay could push back nonprofits\u2019 fiscal planning since many rely on government funding to maintain essential services for Quebecers.<\/p>\n For instance, Food Banks of Quebec (BAQ) \u2014 a network of 33 members that supply food to nearly 1,400 local community organizations throughout the province \u2014 was granted $25.5 million this past year specifically for food purchases. <\/p>\n V\u0117ronique Beaulieu-Fowler \u2014 director of philanthropy for the BAQ \u2014\u00a0 says that while the network has set aside roughly $8.5 million to assist their members at the beginning of the year, the sooner the provincial budget is tabled, the sooner local food banks can plan their annual purchases and spare Quebecers from food shortages.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Bernard](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771333208_842_default.jpg\")
Bernard Drainville and Christine Fr\u00e9chette facing each other at the CAQ caucus on Jan. 27, 2026. (Ivanoh Demers\/Radio-Canada)<\/p>\n![\"Quebec](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771333208_135_default.jpg\")
Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard presents the province’s economic update on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Jean-Michel Cloutier\/Radio-Canada)<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771278551_254_default.jpg\")
<\/p>\n