A French family in the rural Quebec municipality of Crabtree is facing an uncertain future as they fight potential deportation following changes too the province’s immigration policies. The Debaucheron family arrived in 2023, believing they were on a clear path to permanent residency through Quebec’s Experience Program (PEQ), but the program’s sudden cancellation has left them scrambling for options. Thier case highlights the broader impact of Quebec’s immigration reforms on settled families and the communities that rely on their contributions, as local officials advocate for their continued integration.
A French family living in the small Quebec municipality of Crabtree, near Joliette, is facing potential deportation following the abrupt cancellation of Quebec’s Experience Program (PEQ). The changes to immigration rules could force a comptable, her truck-driver husband, and their two children to return to France after nearly three years in the province.
“We moved to Quebec never imagining we’d face these immigration problems,” Christelle Debaucheron explained. The family has resided in Quebec since 2023. Her husband, Fabien Debaucheron, initially secured a closed work permit allowing him to work for a specific employer in a defined role for three years.
“Big cities weren’t for us,” Christelle added, explaining their decision to settle in Joliette.
“His closed work permit entitled me to an open work permit,” Christelle explained, noting she quickly applied for a position with the municipality of Crabtree upon arrival. The plan was to accumulate two years of work experience to qualify for the PEQ.
By 2025, “we started gathering all the necessary documents… but my two years of experience wouldn’t be complete until September 2025,” she detailed. However, the government definitively abolished the PEQ in the fall, just as she was preparing to apply.
“We were devastated, truly devastated,” she recalled. “The only remaining option is the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).” However, the QSWP operates on a points-based system, and Christelle and Fabien don’t score highly enough. “We don’t accumulate many points,” she said, citing their age and Christelle’s modest income as disadvantages. “Honestly, it’s overwhelming. We talk about it every night; it’s a constant worry. I just want to be able to relax and clear my mind, to stop thinking about it.”
The uncertainty is also impacting the family’s two children, aged 10 and 16. “They have their friends, their routines, and they don’t want to go back,” Christelle said.
The family doesn’t view a return to France as a solution, either. “The process of going back will be even more complicated,” Christelle explained. “Here, we were trusted with housing. But it doesn’t work the other way around – if we don’t have a job in France, we won’t have housing.”
“An Important Part of the Team”
The desire to remain in Quebec extends beyond the Debaucheron family. Their employer, the municipality of Crabtree, is also advocating for Christelle to stay. “She quickly became a valuable member of the municipal team,” said Crabtree Mayor Étienne Dupuis. “We tried to apply political pressure,” he added, “but without success.”
Christelle was the sole candidate for the administrative assistant position at the time of hiring. While the mayor believes a new posting might attract more interest now, it doesn’t diminish his desire to retain Christelle, particularly as her responsibilities have expanded over time due to her accounting experience. “They have everything it takes to integrate. Plus, she filled a position we couldn’t recruit for. To me, it would be natural to keep people like this in Quebec,” he concluded.
For now, the family’s potential return to France has been temporarily delayed. Fabien has secured a new employer willing to offer a one-year work permit, allowing them to remain in Quebec for a few more months. “It’s in progress. I’m holding off until I have the permit in hand. I’m still cautious,” she said.
This reporting was supported by the Initiative de journalisme local, funded by the Government of Canada.
