Faced with recent changes to the rules governing economic immigration, Québec SMEs are encountering challenges that weaken their competitiveness and ability to innovate. To address this situation, the Foreign Workforce Alliance was created, now bringing together 11 Québec manufacturing companies.

Aéro Montréal supports the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) in its call for a moratorium on restrictions to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Current measures threaten permits for essential workers — without whom certain critical expertise would be impossible to replace — thereby undermining Québec’s competitive position in international markets.

Challenges for SMEs

Regulatory changes — such as reduced quotas, the end of streamlined processing for certain professions, and higher wage thresholds — are exacerbating the shortage of qualified labor. For manufacturing SMEs, especially those located outside major urban centers, these restrictions compromise contract fulfillment and slow growth.

The Foreign Workforce Alliance has put forward a series of strategic recommendations to support companies while ensuring balanced management of the foreign workforce.

Four Immediate Priorities

• Retention of current foreign workers: implement measures to retain those already in Québec and stabilize the existing workforce.
• Creation of a certified employer program: support employers who demonstrate strong integration practices (housing, family support, French-language training) with simplified processes or adjusted quotas.
• Maintain streamlined processing: preserve this approach for critical professions to secure essential skills for the economy.
• Harmonize geographic criteria: adapt immigration territories to better reflect regional realities and support companies outside major urban areas.

Toward a More Resilient and Inclusive Economy

These recommendations aim to build a more resilient and inclusive economic ecosystem. By adapting immigration rules to business needs, we can ensure not only their sustainability, but also the long-term vitality of Québec’s economy.