Jacques Boissinot The Canadian Press “I ask you to take, urgently and permanently, all the necessary measures to distribute asylum seekers […] to other provinces, regardless of the profile of the applicant,” wrote Mr. Legault.
Premier François Legault is intensifying pressure on his federal counterpart and demanding that all asylum seekers arriving in Canada via Roxham Road be redirected elsewhere in the country.
In a letter sent Sunday to Justin Trudeau, Mr. Legault reiterates that the reception capacity of Quebec is now “largely exceeded”, which has “major” consequences on public services.
“There is essential […] that asylum seekers who enter irregularly are now all redirected to other provinces, because Quebec has provided more than its share of effort in recent years,” he writes. /p>
“I ask you to take, urgently and permanently, all the necessary measures to distribute asylum seekers […] to other provinces, regardless of the profile of the applicant. »
Mr. Legault recalls that Quebec has a “long tradition” of welcoming refugees. “However, this influx cannot continue,” he pleads, adding that “it is becoming more and more difficult to welcome [them] with dignity”.
These people are struggling to find adequate housing and are more likely to find themselves in a situation of homelessness. The community organizations that help them are at their wit's end, adds the Prime Minister.
Health and education services are also facing “increased unprecedented pressure”.
François Legault further laments that the arrival in Montreal of “tens of thousands” of migrants, including one “significant” proportion does not speak French, “greatly complicates our task of francization”.
“Roxham Road will have to be closed one day”
“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 about respecting Canada's territorial borders,” he concluded in his missive.
Last year, a record number of 39,171 asylum seekers were intercepted at Roxham Road , an unofficial entry point located in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, in Montérégie.
The Legault government demands that Ottawa assume the costs incurred and renegotiate with the government of the American president , Joe Biden, the safe third country agreement.
Last week, Mr. Legault invited Mr. Trudeau to correct the situation and tell illegal immigrants on Twitter not to cross into Canada anymore .
He was referring to a 2017 Twitter post from Mr. Trudeau, suggesting that Canada opens its arms wide to all those fleeing persecution, terror and war. .
Last Tuesday, Mr. Legault also met with United States Ambassador David L. Cohen to discuss Roxham Road.
