Improving Access to Family Reunification in Quebec

Background:

• On June 26, 2025, the Quebec government announced it had reached its quota for family reunification (2024–2026), suspending new sponsorship applications for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children (18 and over) until June 25, 2026.
• This decision prevents thousands of Quebec families from living together, despite the protections under Article 5 of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
• Sponsored family members usually integrate in French and contribute to Quebec’s economy.
• Sponsorship applications come from Quebec citizens and residents who legally commit to supporting their relatives without relying on public assistance.
• As of August 6, 2025, processing times exceed 40 months, causing severe harm to families’ mental health, financial stability, and cohesion, including the well-being of children.
• Quebec has, in the past, processed certain immigration certificates (CSQs) outside of quota limits in other categories.

Petition text

CONSIDERING THAT the Government of Quebec announced on June 26, 2025, that it had reached its quota for family reunification for 2024–2026, thereby suspending the reception of new sponsorship applications for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children aged 18 and over until June 25, 2026;

CONSIDERING THAT this decision deprives thousands of Quebec families of the right to live together and contradicts the government’s commitments regarding family reunification, notably the rights protected under Article 5 of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms;

CONSIDERING THAT sponsored persons integrate in French in the majority of cases and strengthen Quebec’s economy;

CONSIDERING THAT these applications are submitted by Quebec citizens and residents who undertake to provide for the needs of their loved ones without recourse to the State;

CONSIDERING THAT delays exceeding 40 months, as of August 6, 2025, severely affect the mental health, financial stability, and cohesion of families, including children;

CONSIDERING THAT Quebec has already processed applications for the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) outside of quotas in other immigration categories;

We, the undersigned, call on the Government of Quebec:

• to cancel the ministerial order of June 26, 2024, to immediately allow the reception of sponsorship applications, and to resume the issuance of CSQs for family reunification;
• to ensure continuous processing of sponsorship applications in such a way that the processing time never exceeds 12 months, in order to minimize the serious harm suffered by these families.

Deadline to sign: October 1, 2025