How much of this is FB wanting to go to Montreal? And how much of this is FB anticipating (AI) regulation in the USA?
Google already has their own Montreal AI lab, and they have also made a donation to the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms (MILA)[1].
I'm less familiar with the exact details of this, but Montreal might also be a nice place to relocate researchers that cannot get work authorization in the United States.
[1]: https://www.wired.com/2016/11/google-opens-montreal-ai-lab-s...
To get a work visa in Quebec, the employer have to apply to MIDI (Quebec's Immigration dept.) Your application will undergo a review process called LMIA, Labor Market Impact Assessment. The employer have to prove that you are not replacing a worker here and the employer finds it hard to recruit a local talent. Once thats done, the work visa should be applied in Federal Level, which will grant you 2 years closed work permit. The closed work permit means you cannot work for anyone else. This entire process will take around 5-6 months. You will get CAQ(Quebec acceptance certificate) and a work visa stamped in your passport with which you can land and start working for the employer.
In order to continue working after 2 years, you have to get something called CSQ (Quebec Selection Certificate) , which will be based on your work experience,education,age,language skills on a points based system. You will have to satisfy a minimum cut off points.
If you speak and understand excellent French, you will get CSQ within 1 month under the PEQ priority category. If you don't, CSQ will take around 6 - 8 months in the Regular in land applicant priority. You can then use this CSQ to keep extending your work permit. Usually its good to apply for Permanent Residence after obtaining CSQ. Permanent Residence should be applied to Federal govt after CSQ which will take around 1 year to be approved.
To summarize, if you know French, things will be faster for getting a CSQ. Federal will take 1 year.
If you have family, you will have to think about the school system in Quebec and the language laws and read more about Quebec Bill 101. The health system in Quebec lacks a lot of doctors. So finding one will be little bit difficult for a new comer. There are more quirks about living in Quebec than the rest of Canada.
https://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settl...
Direct PR from Federal = 6 months.
Quebec Inland = 6 months (CSQ) + 1 year(Federal).
Quebec Outland = unknown number of years, I know cases which are 4 years waiting for a CSQ.
So it boils down to how many points you have. If you satisfy points in the Express Entry system currently, then its the way to go. Go ahead and apply to the Express Entry system online. Else land in Quebec with a temporary work permit & go thru the Quebec CSQ route. The Quebec CSQ is also based on points. Not every occupation is in demand in Quebec. IT certainly is.
Note: PR is not equal to citizenship. Canadian citizenship can be applied after 4 years(I think) of continuous residence in Canada after PR.