Quebec Announces Special Program for Asylum Seekers during the COVID-19 PeriodOn August 14, in tandem with the federal government's announcement of its "Pathway to Permanent Residency" temporary measure, the Quebec government announced its "Special Program for Asylum Seekers during the COVID-19 period." Quebec's Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration has confirmed "the upcoming adoption of a new immigration program" in Quebec that "will allow asylum seekers who provided direct care to patients and seniors since the start of the health crisis" to settle in Quebec permanently. The Ministry states that the purpose of the program is "to thank asylum seekers who provided direct care during the pandemic to patients and seniors, by making it easier for them to obtain their permanent residency. Those awaiting a decision about their refugee status and who have been denied will be able to take advantage of this program, if they meet the selection conditions." Family members "who are here in Canada with the asylum seeker can also be included in the application." The date on which the program comes into effect "will be announced at a later date." "The government must render its decision before the program can come into effect. All information about this future program, particularly selection conditions, are subject to change and will therefore be announced on a preliminary and informative basis, pending decisions required to enact the regulation that will bring the program into effect." To be eligible for the program, applicants domiciled in Quebec must first meet the conditions of the federal program, meaning that "they applied for asylum before March 13 and obtained a work permit after their application for asylum." To be selected by Quebec, they must also meet the following conditions: - have worked in Quebec for at least 120 hours between March 13, 2020 and August 14, 2020, in one of the eligible occupations, in a public or private health facility or for a social economy or private homecare enterprise; - have acquired at least six months' full-time work experience in Quebec or 750 hours (acquired full time or part time) in one of the eligible occupations, in a public or private health institution or for a social economy or private homecare enterprise, before or during the duration of the special immigration program. All the above-mentioned selection conditions must be met no later than August 31, 2021. Specific measures are also to be set out for certain exceptional cases, in particular for asylum seekers who contracted COVID-19 while working in health care. These measures would also apply to the families in Quebec of asylum seekers who worked in healthcare and died due to COVID-19. The eligable occupations related to the delivery of health care are: - nursing coordinators and supervisors (NOC 3011); - registered nurses (NOC 3012); - licensed practical nurses (NOC 3233); - nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 3413); - home support workers (NOC 4412: for occupations that involve providing direct care only). Once permanent residency has been obtained, applicants can send for their family abroad under the family reunification program. No ceiling will be established "since the objective of this program for permanent application is to show gratitude to asylum seekers for their important contribution working in the health sector during the pandemic." No fees will be charged for submitting an application in Quebec, although fees will be charged by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (Immigration, Francization and Integration Quebec)
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