Quebec's premier has expressed dissatisfaction with Canada's immigration policy
François Legault wants to reduce the number of asylum seekers in the province.
Quebec Premier François Legault has addressed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with a warning: Quebec is on the verge of a crisis due to the growing number of asylum seekers. Legault pointed out the precarious situation and the need for immediate action:
"We are very close to the breaking point due to the excessive number of asylum seekers arriving in Quebec month after month."
The premier said the province registered almost 60,000 new asylum seekers in the first 11 months of 2023, and that's putting "very significant pressure" on local services:
- He expressed concern about finding housing for these people, the worsening housing crisis, and overcrowding in homeless shelters.
- Refugee aid organizations are unable to cope with the increased demand.
- The integration of asylum-seekers' children into the Quebec school system is particularly difficult, given the shortage of teachers and school facilities (he may be referring to the protracted conflict between the government and educators, recently resolved by new contracts).
- The province is under too much financial strain, including the CA$ 33 million spent on cash assistance for refugees last October.
François Legault separately outlined the geography of the problem. He emphasized the growing number of Mexican citizens among asylum seekers and linked this phenomenon to visa-free entry from Mexico to Canada. As a solution, the Premier of Quebec suggested tightening the visa policy.
Judging by the Premier's address, he is convinced that the situation in Quebec is different from the rest of Canada. He called for a "equitable" distribution of refugees across the country and for Quebec to be reimbursed CA$ 470 million for 2021 and 2022, with continued payments in subsequent years:
"Quebec is no longer in a position to welcome a disproportionate share of the asylum seekers entering Canada. This is an urgent matter of the utmost importance."
On Tuesday, Trudeau reaffirmed a commitment to welcome 500,000 immigrants in 2025, but also expressed a desire for greater oversight of the process and suggested higher education institutions and companies look for their own solutions to accommodate temporary residents.
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