Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a bilateral meeting with Quebec Premier François Legault in Montreal on March 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Quebec Premier François Legault has escalated pressure on the federal government to reduce the influx of temporary immigrants in the province, indicating a potential "referendum" if Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fails to address Quebec's immigration concerns. While Legault clarified that an immediate referendum isn't on the agenda, he hinted at its possibility if Trudeau doesn't meet Quebec's demands.
During a session at the legislature, Legault raised the issue, citing a previous meeting with Trudeau in March where the prime minister rejected Quebec's proposal for full control over immigration decisions. Nonetheless, Legault acknowledged Trudeau's receptiveness to discussing other aspects of immigration policy, with plans for another meeting before June 30.
Legault highlighted the strain caused by the 560,000 temporary immigrants in Quebec, including asylum seekers, temporary foreign workers, and international students, on social services and the French language. He asserted that a significant portion of Quebecers share his concerns regarding the high number of temporary immigrants.
The immigration debate between Quebec and the federal government has been ongoing, particularly concerning the surge of asylum seekers entering Quebec in recent years. Quebec has been vocal about the financial burden associated with accommodating asylum seekers and has demanded reimbursement of $1 billion from Ottawa, reflecting the province's expenditures over the past three years. Both governments have agreed to establish a working group to assess Quebec's demands.
Legault emphasized Quebec's potential leverage in negotiations, suggesting that garnering public support could strengthen their position. He hinted that the decision to proceed with a referendum would hinge on Trudeau's willingness to grant Quebec more autonomy over immigration matters. However, Legault didn't elaborate on the specific questions Quebecers might be asked in such a referendum.
While Quebec currently manages economic immigration, it shares responsibility with the federal government for refugees, family reunification, and temporary foreign workers. Following the March meeting, Legault indicated Trudeau's openness to granting Quebec more authority, particularly in approving temporary foreign workers before their relocation to the province. This pre-approval process, according to Legault, would enable Quebec to ensure French language proficiency and exercise greater control over the influx of temporary workers, essentially providing Quebec with a "veto power."
The escalating tensions between Quebec and the federal government underscore the complexities of immigration policy in Canada, particularly regarding the distribution of authority and resources between federal and provincial jurisdictions. The outcome of future discussions and potential referendum implications will likely shape the trajectory of immigration policy in Quebec and beyond.
