23 May 2017

PRESS RELEASE  –  The Government of Québec and Sherbrooke Innopole are joining forces to encourage international students who obtain a university, college, or vocational training diploma in the Estrie region to settle permanently in Québec. As part of a partnership agreement, Sherbrooke Innopole will allocate a total of $85 000 to carry out activities with international students over the next two years.

This agreement was announced this morning by Kathleen Weil, Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness, along with Luc Fortin, Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language, Minister responsible for the Estrie region and MNA for Sherbrooke, as well as Josée Fortin, Director General of Sherbrooke Innopole. The press conference was held at the Université de Sherbrooke.

Michael Goldbloom, Bishop’s University Principal, Guy Hardy, deputy of Saint-François, Martin Buteau, former associate rector and vice-rector for human and financial resources of Université de Sherbrooke, Kathleen Weil, former Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness, Josée Fortin, general director of Sherbrooke Innopole et Luc Fortin, Minister responsible for the Estrie region.

The agreement aims to issue 202 additional Certificats de sélection du Québec (CSQ) (Québec selection certificates) to international students on top of the 349 that would normally be issued during this period, for a total of more than 550 CSQ. To this end, Sherbrooke Innopole will work to establish partnerships with regional social and economic stakeholders to organize activities promoting the quality of life and employment opportunities in the Estrie region. A section dedicated to foreign students will be added to the website L’Estrie vous engage to showcase the advantages of living and working in the Estrie region. The project also aims to increase the number of international students in the region who attend the MIDI’s information sessions on the immigration process.

“This agreement reflects the Government of Québec’s commitment to work with our partners in the Estrie region to scale up the efforts to increase the retention rate of international students. It’s in the best interest of the host communities to turn studies abroad into a lifelong plan, as these students speak French, are familiar with Québec society, hold a diploma issued in Québec, and already contribute to the economic prosperity of these communities. They are prime candidates for Québec regions and businesses.”

Kathleen Weil, Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness

“We are proud to implement the retention strategy adopted by the government last year, as the Estrie region has a well-established tradition for working in partnership, especially in terms of hospitality, francization, and inclusion of immigrants. We are motivated by our conviction that diversity is an added value to our communities and we strive to make it possible for immigrants to participate fully in Québec society.”

Luc Fortin, Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language, Minister responsible for the Estrie region and MNA for Sherbrooke

“The agreement with the Ministry comes at an opportune moment given the strong need for labour in Sherbrooke. I am convinced that this project will encourage international students to settle in our region. As future professionals, they will fully contribute to our economy and will help meet the need for specialized labour of our local businesses.”

Josée Fortin, Director General of Sherbrooke Innopole

Sources: Sherbrooke Innopole and Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion