Analysis: Prime Ministers are becoming more vocal about immigration concerns

September 13, 2024 TruthUSA

Quebec Premier François Legault expressed strong criticism towards Ottawa’s handling of immigration during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sept. 13.

The press conference focused on a collaborative announcement regarding investments in satellite technology in Montreal’s West Island.

Provincial leaders have voiced concerns about Ottawa’s proposal to relocate asylum seekers from Ontario and Quebec.

Trudeau mentioned that discussions with provinces have been ongoing and emphasized the need for all provinces, especially Ontario and Quebec, to share the responsibility equally.

Legault followed with a direct critique of Ottawa’s current approach, urging Trudeau to swiftly reduce the number of temporary residents in Quebec.

He expressed frustration, stating, “We’ve been talking for six months with no results. The discussions with other provinces seem unproductive.”

Legault has been urging Ottawa for some time to address the growing number of asylum seekers entering Quebec.

Although the closure of the Roxham Road last year reduced illegal border crossings from New York into Quebec, the country has seen a surge in asylum seekers, mostly arriving by air recently.

The Quebec premier highlighted a significant increase in temporary immigrants in the province over two years, with a large portion being asylum seekers.

In 2023, Quebec’s population grew by 218,000, with immigration accounting for the majority, according to Quebec’s statistical institute reports.

Other Premiers

Other provincial leaders are also voicing concerns about the increasing pressure to accept more asylum seekers.

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs stated that Ottawa plans to relocate 4,600 asylum seekers to the province, which is a significant increase from current levels.

Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller assured that any relocation plan would involve compensation and consent from the provinces.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also criticized Ottawa’s relocation initiatives, citing the strain on public services and the cost of living.

Smith mentioned that Alberta welcomed over 200,000 newcomers last year, equivalent to adding two cities the size of Red Deer in just one year.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston opposed the federal government’s plan to send 6,000 asylum seekers to his province, emphasizing the need for attracting skilled professionals.

British Columbia Premier David Eby criticized the federal government’s immigration strategy as “daft,” highlighting the burden it places on provinces.

Public Discussion

The issue of immigration has become a prominent topic in Canadian politics, particularly due to housing shortages and strained services.

Public opinion on immigration has shifted, with a majority of Canadians believing that current immigration levels are too high, according to a Léger poll.

Last year, Minister Miller dismissed the idea of reducing immigration levels, emphasizing the importance of skilled workers and family reunification.

In response to concerns about international students, Miller considered implementing a cap due to the overwhelming volume of students.

Miller acknowledged that immigration is likely to be a top issue in the upcoming election, reflecting the growing importance of the topic.

Tara MacIsaac and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.

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Other Premiers

Public Discussion

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