Ottawa will give Quebec $750 million to address the surge in temporary immigrants while promising quicker asylum claim processing and better distribution of refugees across Canada.
The announcement followed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault's meeting in Quebec City. Legault had requested $1 billion to cover expenses from 2021 to 2023 but received three-quarters of that amount. He also sought a reduction in temporary immigrants, citing pressures on social services and the French language's future.
Trudeau stated the need for a detailed plan from Legault before committing to specific reductions. He cautioned against blaming immigrants for housing and social service strains, emphasizing the complexity of these issues.
In addition to the financial support, Ottawa aims to process asylum claims faster, improve the visa system's integrity, ensure more temporary foreign workers speak French, and redistribute refugees nationwide. The government plans to issue work permits to asylum seekers within 30 days by October, down from the current 100+ days.
Source: globalnews.ca
