Quebec won't get full powers
over immigration, Trudeau says
Quebec will not get full powers in immigration. Justin Trudeau on Friday refused François Legault's request to curb and reduce the influx of asylum seekers.
However, he said he had an "extremely constructive" meeting with his counterpart on Friday morning, notably on immigration, health care and economic growth.
The people of Quebec have always been welcoming, but right now, we've exceeded our capacity. That is why I reiterated Quebec's request to repatriate full powers over immigration. This is important to protect the language and identity of the Quebec nation. Unfortunately, Mr. Trudeau reiterated his refusal.
François Legault, Premier of Quebec at a press conference
In the event of a refusal, "we will evaluate our options, and there are options that present themselves," Legault had said the day before. On Friday, however, he would not elaborate on his options. "When we're ready, we'll tell you."
The Quebec government is asking for $1 billion to cover the bill for services provided to asylum seekers. So far, Ottawa has granted $100 million to Quebec and has reimposed visas for a large number of Mexicans who want to come to Canada.
Trudeau acknowledged that "for a long time now, Quebec has been doing more than its share in terms of asylum seekers," which is putting pressure on the province's budget and on the health and education systems. "That's why we're here to work with Quebec to make sure we're recognizing what they're doing, taking the pressure off and also getting compensation."
"Our capacity is exceeded""Our capacity is exceeded," said Mr. Legault. We have a shortage of teachers, a shortage of nurses, a lack of housing, and that poses a real problem for the future of French in Quebec. The vast majority of these people are admitted by the federal government. So I asked Mr. Trudeau to take action immediately or quickly. »
Justin Trudeau would have been willing to have temporary workers who report to Ottawa first approved in Quebec, Legault argues. He also said he was open to tightening visas for foreigners coming to Quebec and Canada, as is the case for Mexicans.
Mr. Trudeau would seem inclined to see the processing of asylum seekers accelerated. "We're talking about 18 months. I asked to see if it's possible to reduce it to 6 months," said Mr. Legault. Finally, Justin Trudeau is said to have shown an openness to having knowledge of French become a requirement for temporary workers chosen by Ottawa and to having some temporary
workers refused when their permits are renewed.
The two prime ministers are expected to take stock by June 30. "In the meantime, the Quebec government is considering all its options to rapidly reduce the number of asylum seekers and temporary workers in Quebec."
Trudeau is hopeful of a health care dealOn Friday morning, Justin Trudeau said he was "very confident" of reaching an agreement with Quebec before the end of the month on federal health transfers. "We're going to be there to make sure Quebecers have the best service," he said.
With regard to the national pharmacare program and the federal dental insurance plan, the Prime Minister said that he was "in the process of discussing with Quebec how or if we can align our programs and ensure that there is a division of powers."
For François Legault, it is out of the question for Quebec to leave the field open to Ottawa to
create a prescription drug insurance plan in the province.
The only option available to the Liberal government, if it insists on creating such a program in the rest of the country, is to offer full and unconditional financial compensation to Quebec, Health Minister Christian Dubé said in an interview with La Presse at the end of February.
- Justin Trudeau on Friday refused François Legault's request to exercise full powers over immigration.
- François Legault maintains that Quebec's reception capacity is overwhelmed and wants to curb and reduce the influx of asylum seekers.
- The two prime ministers are expected to take stock by June 30.
However, he said he had an "extremely constructive" meeting with his counterpart on Friday morning, notably on immigration, health care and economic growth.
The people of Quebec have always been welcoming, but right now, we've exceeded our capacity. That is why I reiterated Quebec's request to repatriate full powers over immigration. This is important to protect the language and identity of the Quebec nation. Unfortunately, Mr. Trudeau reiterated his refusal.
François Legault, Premier of Quebec at a press conference
In the event of a refusal, "we will evaluate our options, and there are options that present themselves," Legault had said the day before. On Friday, however, he would not elaborate on his options. "When we're ready, we'll tell you."
The Quebec government is asking for $1 billion to cover the bill for services provided to asylum seekers. So far, Ottawa has granted $100 million to Quebec and has reimposed visas for a large number of Mexicans who want to come to Canada.
Trudeau acknowledged that "for a long time now, Quebec has been doing more than its share in terms of asylum seekers," which is putting pressure on the province's budget and on the health and education systems. "That's why we're here to work with Quebec to make sure we're recognizing what they're doing, taking the pressure off and also getting compensation."
"Our capacity is exceeded""Our capacity is exceeded," said Mr. Legault. We have a shortage of teachers, a shortage of nurses, a lack of housing, and that poses a real problem for the future of French in Quebec. The vast majority of these people are admitted by the federal government. So I asked Mr. Trudeau to take action immediately or quickly. »
Justin Trudeau would have been willing to have temporary workers who report to Ottawa first approved in Quebec, Legault argues. He also said he was open to tightening visas for foreigners coming to Quebec and Canada, as is the case for Mexicans.
Mr. Trudeau would seem inclined to see the processing of asylum seekers accelerated. "We're talking about 18 months. I asked to see if it's possible to reduce it to 6 months," said Mr. Legault. Finally, Justin Trudeau is said to have shown an openness to having knowledge of French become a requirement for temporary workers chosen by Ottawa and to having some temporary
workers refused when their permits are renewed.
The two prime ministers are expected to take stock by June 30. "In the meantime, the Quebec government is considering all its options to rapidly reduce the number of asylum seekers and temporary workers in Quebec."
Trudeau is hopeful of a health care dealOn Friday morning, Justin Trudeau said he was "very confident" of reaching an agreement with Quebec before the end of the month on federal health transfers. "We're going to be there to make sure Quebecers have the best service," he said.
With regard to the national pharmacare program and the federal dental insurance plan, the Prime Minister said that he was "in the process of discussing with Quebec how or if we can align our programs and ensure that there is a division of powers."
For François Legault, it is out of the question for Quebec to leave the field open to Ottawa to
create a prescription drug insurance plan in the province.
The only option available to the Liberal government, if it insists on creating such a program in the rest of the country, is to offer full and unconditional financial compensation to Quebec, Health Minister Christian Dubé said in an interview with La Presse at the end of February.