The Middle Path
The abolition of the emblematic PEQ (Quebec Experience Program) – which once offered a fast track to the Quebec Selection Certificate for many immigrant workers and French-speaking graduates – has not left any employer indifferent. Le Groupe Maurice is no exception: more than 300 employees are affected by this policy shift, with real consequences for both their professional and personal lives. Alain Champagne is troubled by this decision, which not only conflicts with his deeply held values, but also has significant implications for the company’s human and operational resources. We sat down with him.
Alain, please tell us why this issue affects you so intensely.
As we all know, the changes to the PEQ affect people who left their families, friends, cultures and roots behind to build a life here. They responded to a demand and a promise – the promise that they could work, integrate, and, if all went well, envision their future here through the Quebec Selection Certificate leading to citizenship.
They put their trust in us. And now we are turning our backs on them with a reversal that disregards everything they did to meet our expectations. Their trust has inevitably been shaken, and understandably so.
This kind of decision deeply disappoints me, because it feeds the cliché that a gap persists between the words and actions of our decision-makers. It inevitably makes me question the coherence between our policies and the values we claim to uphold as a society.
It seems to me that in 2026, in Quebec, with everything happening in the world, we shouldn’t have to question the true intentions of those who build or dismantle our social programs, as is the case with the PEQ.
How does this sit with you as President of Le Groupe Maurice?
It clashes profoundly with who I am and how I approach my role. Being a steward of people’s well-being is a privilege… but also a great responsibility. It must be carried out with humility, kindness and respect.
As an employer, this pains me deeply, because these people are part of our teams, our daily lives and our extended “family,” in many cases for years. General managers, department heads, residents and even some head office employees regularly share their dismay with me, telling me just how committed, skilled and genuinely valuable these individuals are to the quality of life in our residences. Knowing that they are now facing uncertainty about their future hits close to home.
But what troubles me most in this debate are the reactions it has brought to the surface. A virulent intolerance unlike anything I’ve seen before is showing up in the voices of a very vocal segment of the population. As you know, I’ve always had a hard time accepting bullying, hasty and unfounded judgments, and above all, injustice. That’s why I feel compelled to speak up – to bring a little more humanity to the public conversations we’re having today.
It’s truly hard to wrap your head around. Especially when, at its core, we have a pressing need for skilled workers. That makes it all the more indefensible.
Exactly! With this new regulation, Quebec will be deliberately depriving itself of skilled, motivated, and already well‑integrated talent – people we truly need. The real nonsense is that, in many cases, these individuals will simply go elsewhere, working for our neighbours who will welcome them with open arms. Others, unfortunately, will not have that option and may be forced to return to their country of origin. It is utterly incomprehensible.
And the need is glaring everywhere, even with them already here. If these people leave, we will only add to the number of vacant positions. It makes no sense whatsoever.
No, to me, the elimination of the PEQ is a simplistic response to a far more complex problem. We can’t ignore the human cost of this measure. Have we truly considered the person behind the job that needs filling? Do we really understand what an immigration journey involves? The time invested, the constant effort, the moments of discouragement, the losses and sacrifices – and above all, the resilience it takes to rebuild your life somewhere new?
But what troubles me most is the intolerant narratives that emerge in the public sphere whenever a social issue involving immigrants makes the headlines. Reading or hearing these people described as “freeloaders” or accused of “stealing jobs” is not only shocking, but deeply biased. It is gratuitous cruelty, and I cannot stay silent in the face of that kind of language.
What are the consequences of this new policy for Le Groupe Maurice?
Since it affects the status of many foreign workers and international graduates, more than 300 Le Groupe Maurice employees are impacted, to varying degrees and in different ways. It’s truly heartbreaking, because we feel powerless. We are genuinely short on resources to help them. If nothing changes, many of these individuals will see their path to permanent residency compromised.
It’s important to understand that when an employee leaves, especially one who is valued by colleagues and residents alike, the impact goes far beyond their role. The entire fabric of the residence is affected. It means abruptly losing someone who touched us with their kindness or empathy. It means smiles we will no longer receive, conversations that will no longer happen – and sometimes, a warmth that gave people one more reason to get up in the morning, that will simply be gone.
Every person has a unique value. This is not just a matter of employment; it’s also a matter of presence and connections that disappear. It is the social fabric that holds our residences together as places of support and belonging, slowly unravelling. I truly struggle to imagine what this will look like in day-to-day life.
If you were in the government’s position, given the current challenges around labour and immigration, what would you do? Does the solution lie in how we act, or in who we are?
Both, in my opinion. Bringing resources together around positive initiatives aimed at lifting us all up collectively would be a promising start. But that requires putting the common good at the centre of our priorities – and setting ego aside so that every party can talk openly, without trying to win at all costs. That is what Luc Maurice managed to do with Mission Unitaînés, and it’s why that project has been a success on every level.
The question of immigration and Quebec’s capacity to welcome newcomers is legitimate. All the major issues – the housing crisis, the health system, education – must be discussed. But please, let’s do so intelligently. Let’s do so with respect for one another, with nuance rather than categorization.
We have unfortunately lost the art of debate: we are quicker to judge and to polarize. We need to listen more and ask questions in order to better understand different points of view. It’s a reflex that might be dying out, or so it seems…
What would you advise us to do to avoid snap judgments and easy conclusions?
In my view, denial and misinformation fuel malicious opinions and dangerous drift. On the other hand, staying informed through credible sources is essential to forming thoughtful opinions. I therefore make a deliberate choice to keep informing myself, to consider both right-leaning and left-leaning perspectives, with the goal of having a clear and balanced view of any given situation.
In fact, it’s balance we’re after; like a pendulum. The ultimate goal is to come back to the centre. To seek the middle path. And that path is one of understanding. It’s the only way, I think, to avoid snap judgments and alignment with polarized positions.
Is there hope?
Of course. We must continue to have faith in human nature. Otherwise, it’s too easy to throw in the towel. And I refuse to do that. Which is why I choose to remain outraged, even if it’s morally demanding, particularly right now.
We sometimes feel as though we’re navigating a period of social regression, in a climate where our bearings are weakening and discourse is hardening. It inevitably takes a toll on us, personally and collectively.
It is therefore up to us to resist – by trying, each in our own way, to elevate the conversation rather than get dragged down. Stay informed. Stay critical. But stay in the middle, and above all, seek to understand before we judge.
Thank you, Alain, for this heartfelt and inspiring conversation. We will continue to follow the situation closely, to speak out and mobilize when necessary. We are grateful for you showing us how to do so with such humanity, conviction and dignity.