The effects of a change in the point system on immigration

In 2001, Quebec changed its point system, a system that selects immigrants based on specific observable characteristics. The explicit objective was to increase the number of French-speaking immigrants, with no deterioration in overall labor market performance. To achieve this, points for French and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Chemin, Matthieu (author)
Other Authors: Sayour, Nagham (author)
Format: article
Published: 2016
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10725/11200
http://libraries.lau.edu.lb/research/laur/terms-of-use/articles.php
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00148-016-0594-z
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Summary:In 2001, Quebec changed its point system, a system that selects immigrants based on specific observable characteristics. The explicit objective was to increase the number of French-speaking immigrants, with no deterioration in overall labor market performance. To achieve this, points for French and education (specifically bachelor’s degrees) were increased. In parallel, points for a subjective assessment of “adaptability” were decreased. In line with the initial objective, we find more French-speaking immigrants with bachelor’s degrees, and no worsening in labor market outcomes after the reform. These results hold in a difference-in-differences and triple differences analysis. This paper shows how point systems can be used to shape the immigrant workforce according to policy goals.