Quebec demands $1B in compensation from Ottawa for asylum seekers

Quebec is calling on the federal government to curb the arrival of asylum seekers and to distribute them more evenly across the country.

The CAQ government claims that the costs associated with receiving refugees now exceed $1 billion and is demanding reimbursement from the federal government.

“For the moment, I don’t sense any urgency on the part of the federal government to resolve the situation,” said Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette at a press briefing at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The federal government recently set aside $150 million for Quebec to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers, but the Quebec government doesn’t consider this amount adequate.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the claims later Tuesday while making a housing announcement in Vancouver.

“The federal government has been there with hundreds of millions of dollars and we will continue to work hand in hand with Quebec to assure that we can continue to move forward in the right way,” Trudeau said.

“And it’s been years that we are working hand in hand with the government of Quebec and Quebecers and the communities in Quebec have been there to welcome asylum seekers in generous and extraordinary ways.”

The cost of services offered to asylum seekers is $576.9 million for 2023, according to Quebec. This sum is in addition to the $470 million already claimed from the federal government for the same public services offered to asylum seekers in 2021 and 2022, bringing the total cost of services for the three years to more than $1 billion.

Education Minister Bernard Drainville said that the education system is under great pressure because of the asylum seekers who need to be francized and educated.

“We’re approaching breaking point,” he said. “If the number of children that we need to bring into our school system keeps on increasing at the current level, at the current pace, the risk is that we will no longer be able to offer them the educational services that they are entitled to.”

When asked whether Quebec’s identity could be threatened by the arrival of asylum seekers, Minister for the French language and Canadian relations Jean-François Roberge explained that it’s possible.

“It could happen. If we take in more people whom we can house, but also to francize and integrate into Quebec society,” said Roberge. “We want people to come and be part of the big Quebec family… The idea is not to become multiculturalist and live alongside each other. It’s about living with each other.”

According to the government, Quebec receives 55 per cent of asylum seekers arriving in Canada.

The Quebec government has several demands which include an even distribution of asylum seekers across Canada and to close any loopholes that would allow criminal groups into Canada.

“The important thing, evidently, is to reassure everyone in this country that we have an immigration system that is functional, rigorous, where the rules are followed,” Trudeau added.

“We assure and reinforce to all Canadians that our immigration system is essential for a strong future in Quebec and in other places and must continue to be done in an appropriate way.”

This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews