While the Quebec government is asking the federal government to pay it $1 billion for asylum seekers, Quebec’s lieutenant in the Trudeau government, Pablo Rodriguez, invites it to discuss these issues at the right table and not through media.
While in Montreal on Wednesday, for a press conference on another subject, Minister Rodriguez added that even if Quebec “talks about sums owed”, he sees it rather as “sums requested” from the federal government.
“That is negotiated and discussed around the table, not through media releases,” Mr. Rodriguez replied to François Legault’s government.
“For the current year, we are giving more than 750 million dollars, 725 last year, more than 700 million dollars each year,” he added.
The Legault government is demanding $1 billion, arguing that this is what welcoming asylum seekers has cost it since 2021. The Quebec government complains of a lack of listening from the Canadian government.
“They are heard. We salute Quebec’s colossal effort. It is certain that Quebec is doing beyond its share,” assured Minister Rodriguez.
Ottawa “disconnected,” says Fréchette
In response, Quebec Minister of Immigration, Christine Fréchette, said that “the time for discussions with Quebec is over. Now is the time for urgent action.”
Quebec has complained about the repercussions of the arrival in such proportions of asylum seekers, who require health care, education services, last resort financial assistance, among others.
“The federal government is completely out of touch. He must realize the reality in Quebec which is generated by the excessive arrival of asylum seekers,” added the Quebec minister.