For the last three years Imane Benchouk has been teaching math at Saint-Edmond High School in Longueuil, but her future employment at the school, and in Quebec, is in doubt. Benchouk came to Canada from Algeria with her husband and two young children through the Quebec Experience Program or PEQ, a pathway for skilled workers to gain permanent residency. “I always said it was the right place and choice for us, until we ran into these difficulties,” she said. The difficulties started when the CAQ government ended the PEQ program in November 2025, in order to reduce immigration levels. Benchouk was invited to apply for the Skilled Workers Program in February 2026, but like many others she is still waiting to find out if application will be accepted or not. “My work permit expired on September 23rd. I now find myself with a transitional work permit – in other words, ‘implied status,’” she said, adding that her status could change at any minute, which has created a lot of stress and uncertainty. Her students and colleagues at the school have mobilized to try and get the government’s attention so she can get permanent residency. History teacher Sebastien Richard started a petition, that has now garnered more than 1,300 signatures. “Under the law, our students are entitled to have a quality education. We have a quality teacher, so let’s keep her,” he said. Richard said Quebec can’t afford to lose a highly qualified math teacher, and finding a replacement in October would be next to impossible. He said parents of students are among those who have signed the petition to support Benchouk. “Our objective is to make sure that this matter is highly seen at the highest level of government, that there’s something wrong that needs to be changed quick because we need these people in Quebec,” he said. Quebec’s Immigration Ministry told CTV News it cannot comment on individual cases. Benchouk says the support she’s received has given her the strength to continue her fight to stay in Quebec. “Without them I surely would have – I could have- given up a long time ago,” she said. “They give me the courage to continue.” Benchouk said if she doesn’t get an answer soon, her family will have to leave Quebec and start over in another province.
