By Karim Mouldi 

The race for the leadership of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) comes with increased pressure from economic and institutional stakeholders. Everyone knows that the next leader will become Premier for the final months of the mandate and will have direct influence over sensitive issues, including economic immigration. 

A Strategic Role for the Future Leader 

In this context, the future CAQ leader occupies a strategic position. Even in the short term, their policies could have concrete impacts on companies’ ability to recruit and retain their workforce. 

Automotive Repair Facing a Labour Shortage 

The automotive repair sector is particularly affected. Already confronted with a persistent shortage of qualified technicians, shops rely heavily on temporary workers and the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) to maintain operations. It is estimated that around 30% of the workforce in the automotive repair industry consists of foreign workers, highlighting their essential role in ensuring service continuity. 

Significant Financial Challenges 

The leadership race therefore represents a key moment for shop owners, suppliers, and industry associations. Another major challenge is the base salary required by the government for foreign workers, which is already high and expected to increase. This adds financial pressure on companies and artificially raises the average wage of a technician. 

A coordinated effort is essential to highlight the importance of these programs, their real impact on the ground, and the need to balance government objectives with the economic realities of the industry. 

If you contact your MNA to share your concerns, the next Premier may well be listening. 

Picture credit : LinkedIn Karim Mouldi