Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette Concludes Paris Mission with Focus on PEQ and Bilateral Relations
Paris, May 19 – Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette concluded her official mission to Paris yesterday, addressing the contentious issue of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) and engaging in high-level discussions to strengthen ties between Quebec and France. A key outcome of her visit appears to be a solution for approximately 29,000 PEQ ‘orphans’ through a new two-year grandfathering clause.
PEQ ‘Orphans’ to Benefit from New Clause
During an interview with La Presse, Premier Fréchette indicated that around 29,000 individuals affected by changes to the PEQ program would be eligible for a grandfathering clause, set to be implemented for a two-year period. This sensitive issue dominated the final day of her mission.
The Premier’s team confirmed that a French deputy raised concerns about the abolition of the PEQ and Fréchette’s promise to reopen it for two years during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday. The deputy, later identified as Christopher Weissberg, representing French citizens in North America, contacted La Presse to share his perspective. Weissberg represents French immigrants in Quebec who were impacted by the PEQ’s abolition, which previously offered a fast track to permanent residency.
Weissberg stated, “I told her that the essential thing for me today was obviously not to interfere in Quebec political life; Quebecers are obviously sovereign in choosing all their [immigration] criteria.” However, he emphasized the issue of acquired rights, arguing that French citizens were actively sought out and promised permanent residency in Quebec, making it “very delicate not to deliver on what was promised.”
Fréchette’s response, according to Weissberg, was that there would be quotas, operating on a “first come, first served” basis. He found this response “difficult to hear.”
The Premier confirmed to La Presse that this quota would be around 29,000 over two years. This aligns with her leadership campaign promise to “reactivate the PEQ for a period of two years to grant a grandfathering clause to those who were in Quebec at the time of the PEQ’s closure.” To maintain immigration thresholds, set at 45,000 new permanent residents annually (including 29,000 in the economic immigration category), she intends to reduce invitations to the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) by the same number. The PSTQ was established to replace the PEQ.
The reopening of the PEQ is expected to be announced by mid-June, with Immigration Minister François Bonnardel overseeing the file. Premier Fréchette confirmed that the PEQ would indeed operate on a “first come, first served” basis and remain open for two years. The PSTQ will also continue to function during this period.
To meet the annual target of 29,000 economic immigrants, quotas will be set for both the PEQ and the PSTQ. This is expected to be an approximate “50-50” split, allowing for roughly 14,500 admissions for each program in each of the two years. Fréchette noted that this quota could be adjusted in the second year. She acknowledged that not all immigrants affected by the PEQ’s abolition would benefit from the grandfathering clause, stating, “not everyone will be able to be selected in the PEQ.”
Christopher Weissberg expressed disappointment that this quota does not guarantee priority for French citizens who settled in Quebec expecting permanent residency through the PEQ. He advocates for such a guarantee, warning that without it, “there are people who will be left out, who will have to go home.”
The French deputy also confirmed his support for a legal challenge filed in early April against the Quebec government by the “Justice for PEQ Orphans” collective. He dismissed accusations of interference, arguing that it is not interference to advocate for individuals who were promised permanent residency under certain criteria, only to have those terms abruptly changed. Weissberg reported receiving “thousands of messages” from distressed French families in Quebec.
Strengthening France-Quebec Ties and Women in Politics
Beyond immigration, Premier Fréchette’s mission also focused on symbolic gestures and bilateral cooperation. On Tuesday, she met with two prominent female politicians: Yaël Braun-Pivet, the first woman to serve as President of the French National Assembly, and Valérie Pécresse, President of the Île-de-France Region since 2015.
Discussions with Braun-Pivet covered topics such as the role of women in politics, secularism, relations with the United States, critical and strategic minerals, discoverability of Francophone cultural content, and the election of the next Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie. Deputy Weissberg was also present at this meeting.
Fréchette, as the second woman to hold the position of Premier of Quebec after Pauline Marois, has consistently championed the theme of women in politics. Her message in the National Assembly’s guestbook underscored the deep historical and cultural ties between France and Quebec, emphasizing a shared language, culture, history, and attachment to the sovereignty of the people.
Her meeting with Valérie Pécresse included exchanges on the use of artificial intelligence in public administration and the electrification of transport and buildings – themes that recurred throughout the mission.
Later on Tuesday, Premier Fréchette presented the insignia of Officer of the National Order of Quebec to Paul de Sinety, Delegate General for the French Language and the Languages of France. She praised him as a “precious partner” and “unwavering ally” who has actively contributed to strengthening the bonds between Quebec and France.
The Premier’s visit highlighted Quebec’s commitment to addressing pressing immigration issues while reinforcing its historical and cultural connections with France.
Source: https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2026-05-19/mission-de-christine-frechette-a-paris/environ-29-000-orphelins-du-peq-seraient-rescapes.php
