The figures presented by the Quebec government regarding asylum seekers are dizzying. I will not return to the resulting Quebec-Ottawa conflict nor the resulting bill. I will only talk to you about the welcome in Quebec.
By detailing the billion bill that she is passing on to the federal government, the Quebec Minister of Immigration detailed the services and programs to which new arrivals are entitled as soon as they set foot here.
From day one, their accommodation will be taken care of. First of all, there are specialized accommodation centers. When these overflow, people will be transferred to a hotel. Then we will provide them with a support service to find accommodation.
- Listen to the Dutrizac – Dumont meeting via QUB :
Welfare
Obviously they cannot earn employment income before having obtained their federal work permit. This process may take longer due to congestion at Immigration Canada. We cannot leave families without income, we have to buy groceries.
They therefore report immediately to social assistance services and are eligible for last resort assistance. Asylum seekers now represent nearly 30% of social assistance recipients in Quebec. Total bill for 2023: $370 million, up 127%.
To complete the paperwork associated with the process of applying for refugee status in Canada, the Quebec government makes legal aid services available. For its part, the health system will welcome the sick.
We collectively fund a range of organizations that support newcomers in their efforts. We cannot emphasize enough the dedication of the people who work there, but their operations would be impossible without taxpayer money.
For those who are in worse shape upon arrival, a psychosocial support service and health monitoring will be available.
“SCREENSHOT, VAT NEWS”
Overwhelmed schools
Then there is school. No compromise on that. Quebec has decided for around fifteen years that regardless of the circumstances of new arrivals entering the country, children must be educated.
The consequence is enormous. 1257 reception classes while we lack teachers. It will be necessary to open 350 to 400 more by the end of classes in June.
Worse, in certain regions, these reception classes do not exist. Children who do not speak French are then thrown directly into a regular class. Think of the teachers who are already complaining about too many difficult cases…
Yes, the Quebec taxpayer pays for all of this. Not just to landed immigrants that we have selected. We also do this for people arriving at the airport who falsely claim to be asylum seekers.
You know what? Not one government agency is proposing to cut services. Of the five major political parties, none is proposing to cut this generosity, despite the ridiculous increase in the number of applicants.
Systemic racism, they said? Racism is deeply intertwined in our political and administrative system? Please be patient with systemic racism!