Can technology end the contentious debate over immigration?

In the province of Quebec, the Parti Quebecois is asking this, exact, question.
They propose reducing temporary foreign workers from 270,000 to 40,000 and filling the gap with automated systems across industries like agriculture and manufacturing.
Inspired by models in South Korea and Japan, this plan pushes Quebec toward a future that relies on automation over immigration.

Why this is interesting…

Automation and robotics can take on tasks that are low-skilled, low-paying, and generally offer limited upward mobility.
For Quebec, this shift promises to create new business opportunities that could offer higher-paying, skilled jobs that might drive local innovation.
As PQ’s approach suggests, it’s not just about reducing costs or numbers – it’s a strategic shift toward investing in technology, which could make Quebec a competitive leader in automation.

Still… let’s be realistic…

Temporary foreign workers fill gaps that machines can’t easily address, especially in fields requiring flexibility and adaptability – qualities that most robots currently lack.
Displacing these roles with machines could risk alienating communities reliant on immigration, while automation’s high costs and infrastructure needs might burden small and medium enterprises unprepared for such a transition.

So, what is the right balance between technological advancement and social responsibility?

Quebec may gain an economic edge by investing in robotics, but a rapid transition risks skill gaps and financial strain in industries shifting from human labor to automation.
Unlike nations like South Korea and Japan, where automation is deeply integrated, Quebec faces a steep learning curve, requiring policies and support for a phased and thoughtful transition.
Still, it’s amazing to think this type of approach hasn’t even been a talking point in the pending U.S. presidential election.
As this debate unfolds, Quebec stands on the edge of a future where robots may indeed do the work, but it must consider whether this move will ultimately be a gain – or a loss – for the province’s identity and economy.

I support/like this idea (which should surprise no one).

Let robots do work that humans no longer need to do (usually low education/low skill which mean low pay/low chance of improvement)
And, this is less about immigration, costs and planning as much as it is a smart shift in philosophy and approach to a wealthier tomorrow.

This is what Justine McIntyre and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Before you go… ThinkersOne is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.