Migration facilitation regimes and the case of French migration to Quebec

French citizens have been among the five largest groups of temporary and permanent immigrants in Quebec over the past ten years. For the government and population of Quebec, a French-speaking province, French citizens are seen as “ideal” migrants due to their linguistic profile, cultural similarities, and perceived higher economic status. Conversely, Quebec is often portrayed in France as an “ideal” migration destination, offering high economic mobility and smooth integration processes. However, this paper reveals that these assumptions and representations don't automatically lead to international movements. It explores the complex web of public action in Quebec that fosters migration aspirations and facilitates the mobility of French nationals to the province. This study, based on interviews with over 60 civil society stakeholders and government officials and analysis of official documents, suggests that a robust migration facilitation regime operates between Quebec and France. Engaging with literature on migration regimes (Boucher and Justin Gest 2018; Comte 2017; Des Places et Oger 2004; Engbersen et al. 2017; Punter et al. 2019; Hugo 2004) and mobility regimes (Glick Schiller and Salazar 2013; Adey 2006; Kesselring 2015; Koslowski 2011; Schapendonk et al. 2018), our paper introduces the concept of a migration facilitation regime as an infrastructure consisting of interconnected policies, institutions, and agents that collectively streamline and promote bilateral migration. Using empirical data, we highlight how this regime functions, pinpointing policies Quebec implements to market itself as a migration destination, privileges embedded in Quebec's immigration system for French nationals, and the recruitment efforts of various intermediaries aiming to attract French immigrants to Quebec. Our findings emphasize the need to more thoroughly understand the policies targeting “ideal” migrants and demonstrate that states have a greater role in shaping “North-North” migration than previously theorized.