Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused Quebec Premier François Legault of spreading misinformation regarding immigration in the province, sparking a heated exchange between the two leaders.
The conflict arose after Legault attempted to bring down the federal Liberal government last month, criticizing what he views as excessive levels of temporary immigration to Quebec.
Legault unsuccessfully sought the support of the Bloc Québécois, a Quebec nationalist party, to force an early election and make immigration a key campaign issue.
Premier Legault has been vocal in his demand to cut temporary immigration levels in half, claiming that high numbers are straining Quebec’s housing market and challenging the integration of newcomers into Quebecois society. He vowed to support any federal political party that commits to lowering immigration levels.
In response, two federal ministers, Immigration Minister Marc Miller and Public Security Minister Dominic LeBlanc, addressed Legault’s concerns in a letter to Quebec’s Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge.
The ministers stated that Ottawa has addressed Quebec’s concerns, including updates to the Safe Third Country Agreement and new visa requirements for Mexican citizens, reducing asylum claims by over 75 percent.
Prime Minister Trudeau defended his government’s immigration policy, accusing Legault of not proposing a concrete plan to reduce temporary immigration. He also criticized Quebec for not sharing data with federal authorities that could help direct asylum seekers to other provinces.
The dispute highlights the broader tension between Quebec’s desire to preserve its French identity and culture and the increasing demand for workers in the province to fill labor shortages. Legault’s government maintains its 2024 immigration target at 50,000 newcomers.
The post Trudeau Defends Federal Immigration Strategy Amid Quebec Criticism appeared first on CI News | Latest Canada Immigration News.
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