Quebec business programs are in many ways similar to the analogous federal ones, so it was assumed that both would start at the same time. But that did not happen, which is strange because it makes the closure of federal programs meaningless. At the same time, it seems that federal programs are not planned to open in the near future. Therefore, it is unclear how long Quebec programs will remain open in their current form, and what surprises related to them can be expected.
Selection criteria for Quebec business programs
Contrary to expectations, the basic requirements for the applicant (availability of personal funds and investment amounts) have not changed. In particular, the Investor program still requires showing available funds of at least 1.6 million Canadian dollars, and an investment of 800,000 Canadian dollars in one of the province-approved funds for 5 years without interest.
The changes mainly affect the level of French language proficiency, application rules, and application processing fees.
1. French language proficiency requirements. When applying under the Entrepreneur and Self-employed workers programs, the minimum level of French for which points will be awarded is raised to advanced intermediate (above average). For Entrepreneur, French level will be assessed only for the principal applicant, while for Self-employed workers, French level will be assessed for both the principal applicant and the spouse (only oral).
2. Application fee amount. The application processing fee has been increased to 10,000 dollars.
3. Limit on the number of applications per year:
– Under the Investor program, the maximum number of applications accepted is 1,750 per year. Additionally, limits are introduced on the number of applications from a single country – no more than 1,200 per year. (This clause is clearly aimed at the Chinese, who make up the vast majority of applicants for the Investor program, both federal and Quebec.) These restrictions do not apply to those who demonstrate high proficiency in French (advanced intermediate) and provide official test results.
– Under the Entrepreneur and Self-employed workers programs, a total limit of 500 applications per year is introduced (combined for both programs).
4. Application submission requirements. Applications will be accepted only from August 1 to August 16, 2013, i.e., effectively only for two weeks. However, applications can be submitted at any time if the applicant under the Investor program demonstrates French language proficiency at the advanced intermediate level.
Among the interesting innovations, the following can be noted – only applications sent by regular mail will be accepted. Anything sent by courier service or submitted in person will be returned without review.
5. A new application review procedure is introduced – documents will first be checked for completeness, and only then, within 4-6 months, a confirmation letter of file opening will be sent. The review of submitted documents will begin after August 17, once the specified limit of applications is reached. The order of reviewing applications will be done by random selection. Accordingly, the long-standing principle of processing "in order of receipt" is canceled. If the application is accompanied by a French language test result showing an advanced intermediate level, it will be reviewed first.
Opening with oddities
Given that Quebec business programs have recently been a repeat of federal programs, or at least synchronized with them, it seemed that along with accepting applications for Quebec, federal business programs would also open. Since this did not happen, I think that Quebec programs started without much coordination with federal authorities, or, more likely, as a concession from federal authorities to the province of Quebec. This is indirectly evidenced by the limits on the number of applications accepted and the two weeks allocated for accepting applications (which is strange in itself).
Let me remind you that the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration of Canada has repeatedly stated that federal business programs are undergoing a fundamental review, and that their new version will contain a completely different approach to selecting immigrants. That is, it is not just about increasing amounts; the selection system itself will change.
Apparently, these programs are supposed to open in 2014. At least, 2014 has been mentioned many times by the immigration department as a starting point for the new immigration system. Therefore, the opening of programs in Quebec that are closed at the federal level is most likely a concession to the province, and not a desirable one.
Simultaneously with the opening of applications for Quebec business programs, Canada's new Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Chris Alexander, sharply criticized the Harper government over the situation with Quebec business programs. In Chris Alexander's statement, it was even said that Quebec business programs are a fraud, as a result of which Quebec gets money from investors, while other provinces, primarily British Columbia, bear the subsequent costs.
It probably meant that investors going through the Quebec program, after investing money in Quebec, leave for other provinces. It is no secret that Quebec is a rather problematic province, and there is an outflow of population, primarily to Ontario. Immigrants especially do not stay in Quebec, passing through it in transit. And business immigrants are no exception – about 90% of investors immediately leave Quebec.
It is no secret that the vast majority of investors are Chinese. Such investors almost immediately head to the most Chinese city in Canada – Vancouver. They usually settle their families in Vancouver, while they themselves return to China to run their businesses. As a result, they do not pay taxes in Canada, while their wives and children enjoy social benefits paid for by the province of British Columbia.
Apparently, this situation has become unacceptable to both the federal government and the authorities of other provinces, which have turned against Quebec.
All this signals that the Quebec business programs are facing serious changes. I do not even rule out that when applications approved in Quebec are reviewed at the federal level, applicants may simply be turned away. As a precedent, I recall the situation with the acceptance of applications under the business program of Prince Edward Island: the province issued 4,000 approvals, and the federal government considered this excessive and refused almost all applicants and simultaneously shut down the program.
Summing up…
As I already mentioned, it appears that the acceptance of applications under Quebec business programs is open against the wishes of the federal immigration department, and is unlikely to last long. In addition to the fact that only two weeks were allotted for accepting applications and strict limits on their number were imposed, it can be expected with high probability that at the beginning of 2014 the rules of the game will be completely changed. I do not rule out that the federal government plans to shut down Quebec's free-for-all by revoking the special status of this province, which has existed for a long time. Consequently, considering Quebec programs as a path to Canada is, in my opinion, not reasonable.
Elena Ryabinina,
«Russian Toronto».