Legault cites capacity amid outcry from Haitian community over asylum seeker comments
By Staff
The Canadian Press
Posted April 10, 2025 2:35 pm
1 min read
Descrease article font size
Increase article font size
Premier François Legault says Quebec doesn’t have the capacity to take in more immigrants amid a surge in the number of asylum seekers arriving at the province’s border with the United States.
Legault told reporters Thursday in Sherrington, Que., that the sheer numbers are stretching Quebec’s social security net to the limit.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge faced criticism Tuesday after responding to the increase in asylum seekers — many of whom are of Haitian origin — by saying that Quebec cannot “welcome all the world’s misery.”Legault says he understands that those showing up at the border are trying to improve their lives by coming to Quebec.
Trending Now
‘We are not subordinate’: Claudia Sheinbaum warns U.S. against drone-bombing Mexico
Carney hits 3rd campaign pause, says Trump’s trade war raises ‘stakes’
But he says the province has seen the number of temporary immigrants double to 600,000 from 300,000 in the past two years, putting pressure on education, health and housing services. Story continues below advertisement
Roberge wrote on the X social media platform Wednesday that he will not apologize for the comments, saying his intention was to accurately describe Quebec’s ability to receive newcomers.
More on Canada
More videos
© 2025 The Canadian Press