In a letter sent to Justin Trudeau on Sunday, of which Radio-Canada obtained a copy, the Prime Minister and Chief CAQ asks that all migrants who have crossed the border irregularly at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle be redirected to other provinces, and this, regardless
to their profile.
Quebec has a long tradition of welcoming refugees, and we are proud to make our contribution to this humanitarian duty, writes François Legault. However, this influx cannot continue. Quebec’s reception capacity is now largely exceeded.
For this reason, the Premier of Quebec is asking his federal counterpart to take, urgently and permanently, all necessary measures to distribute asylum seekers, upon their arrival at the border, to other provinces, regardless of the applicant’s profile
.
The details with Véronique Prince
Photo : Radio-Canada / Sylvain Roy Roussel
In his missive, the Premier of Quebec commends the efforts of the federal government, which recently transported to Ontario the majority of migrants arrested by the GRC at the end of Roxham Road.
This way of doing things, he argues, should be continued until the Safe Third Country Agreement is reviewed with Washington. François Legault also invites Justin Trudeau to make it a priority
when he next meets with President Joe Biden next month in Ottawa.
According to the head of CAQthe Safe Third Country Agreement should apply at all points of entry into Canada, whether regular or irregular
.
« Roxham Road will have to be closed one day, whether we like it or not. This is not just one issue among others. We are talking here regarding respecting Canada’s territorial borders, and it seems to me that it is your primary responsibility, as Prime Minister of this country, to ensure that these boundaries are respected. »
Waiting for, it is essential that […] asylum seekers who enter irregularly will now all be redirected to other provinces
argues François Legault.
It is also important, he says,and the 13last February”,”text”:”that the temporary accommodation capacity of the federal government, on the territory of Quebec, continues to decrease, like what we saw between last February 10 and 13″}} “>that the temporary accommodation capacity of the federal government, on Quebec territory, continues to decrease, like what we saw between February 10 and 13he argues.
According to Francois Legault, Quebec has provided more than its share of effort in recent years
– which Justin Trudeau implicitly acknowledged last month when he said the province had been “extremely generous” so far.
A popular route
Roxham Road is a healthy option for migrants wishing to seek asylum in Canada who cannot do so at a regular border crossing due to the Safe Third Country Agreement.
Over time, this crossing point has become very busy. Nearly 40,000 people crossed the United States at Roxham Road last year, representing 42% of all asylum seekers received in Canada in 2022. They are also swelling the ranks of temporary residents, who currently number more than 300 000 in Quebec.
In fact, this route has become so popular that New York City is now funding the movement of migrants to Roxham Road. According to our information, American customs agents would even be involved in such transport, which might contravene Canadian laws.
Such an influx raises several considerations of a humanitarian nature, as it is becoming more and more difficult to receive asylum seekers with dignity
argues François Legault in his letter to Justin Trudeau.
Not only are these migrants struggling to find adequate accommodation, but they are now reportedly more likely to end up homeless
, underlines the Prime Minister. And the community organizations that offer them direct support are out of breath
he said.
Public services in Quebec must also face unprecedented increased pressures, particularly health, education, francization and last resort assistance services.
illustrates Mr. Legault, according to whom this additional pressure has become unbearable and cannot continue any longer
.
For this reason, Quebec now expects obtain reimbursement of all costs related to the reception and integration of asylum seekers for the years 2021 and 2022
he writes, adding that Minister Christine Fréchette had already written to her federal counterpart to inform him of this request.
