Quebec to Enforce French-Speaking Requirement for Long-Term Temporary Workers by 2025
French-Speaking Requirement Set for Long-Term Temporary Workers in Quebec by 2025
In a major policy update, the Quebec government has announced that foreign workers staying in the province for more than three years will soon need to meet a minimum French-speaking standard to continue working under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
This new rule, set to begin on December 17, 2025, emphasizes Quebec’s long-standing goal of protecting and promoting its French linguistic identity while also managing the province’s temporary workforce.
French Proficiency to Become a Key Eligibility Factor
From December 2025 onward, foreign nationals who have completed three years of employment in Quebec will be required to demonstrate oral French skills at level 4 on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).
Only those meeting this benchmark will qualify for a renewed Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), a document essential for obtaining or extending a TFWP work permit. The change represents a significant shift in how the province assesses eligibility for continued employment under the temporary worker program.
Transition Timeline for Current Temporary Workers
Workers currently employed in Quebec under the TFWP will not face an immediate requirement to pass the language test.Instead, the provincial government has introduced a three-year transition period, giving them until December 17, 2028, to reach the necessary French proficiency.
During this grace period, these individuals can still apply for or renew their CAQs without meeting the language condition. The goal is to allow time for training and adaptation, ensuring that long-term residents have a fair opportunity to adjust to the new standard.
Who Will Be Exempt from the New Regulation?
Not every foreign worker in Quebec will be required to meet this language threshold. The following groups are exempt from the upcoming rule:
- Temporary workers employed in agriculture
- Employees of foreign political offices operating in Quebec
- INGO staff members recognized by the provincial government
These categories have been excluded due to the specialized nature of their work and the limited linguistic integration expected in their roles.
Reasons Behind the Language Requirement
Quebec’s decision aligns with two of its primary public policy objectives — controlling population pressures linked to temporary residents and strengthening the province’s French-speaking character.
The government has voiced concerns over housing shortages and affordability challenges, partially driven by a rising number of temporary residents, including international students and foreign workers.
At the same time, protecting the French language has remained a core political priority. Officials argue that encouraging newcomers to learn and use French is essential for social cohesion and economic integration. By ensuring that foreign workers can communicate in French, Quebec hopes to foster a more linguistically unified labour market.
Understanding Quebec’s Work Permit Process
To work legally in Quebec under the TFWP, foreign nationals must secure both a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) before applying for a federal work permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The LMIA confirms that hiring a foreign national will not negatively affect Canadian workers, while the CAQ signifies Quebec’s provincial approval. This system functions separately from the International Mobility Program (IMP), which offers LMIA-exempt work permits for reasons of broader cultural, social, or economic benefit to Canada.
How This Fits Into Quebec’s Immigration Strategy
Quebec continues to chart its own path within Canada’s federal immigration structure.
With exclusive powers to select economic immigrants and issue CAQs, the province maintains greater control over who works and settles there.
The introduction of a mandatory French-speaking requirement reinforces Quebec’s effort to prioritize Francophone integration and reduce reliance on temporary labour. Officials suggest that this could also encourage foreign workers to consider permanent residency pathways, particularly those that value French proficiency.
Preparing for the Change
Foreign employees and Quebec-based employers are being encouraged to plan for the upcoming regulation.Workers who expect to remain in Quebec beyond 2025 may need to begin French language training soon to meet the future requirements.
Employers, on the other hand, are advised to support language-learning initiatives to retain skilled staff who the change will impact.
Ultimately, this new rule underscores Quebec’s message: to thrive in the province, foreign workers must not only contribute economically but also embrace its Francophone identity—a cornerstone of Quebec’s distinct culture and social fabric.
