Key Takeaways:
- Quebec received $750M to cover costs incurred from handling 65% of official and 95% of illegal asylum seekers last year.
- B.C. Premier David Eby criticized the allocation, highlighting B.C.’s housing shortage and insufficient support for international students.
- Federal officials emphasize B.C. needs to step up and leverage available federal support for asylum seekers’ housing and services.
Why Did Quebec Receive $750M in Immigration Funding?
Recently, B.C. Premier David Eby expressed frustration over the federal government’s decision to allocate $750 million to Quebec for managing asylum seekers. Immigration Minister Marc Miller responded, saying Eby was “confused.”
What Was the $750M For?
David Eby believed the funds were meant for temporary residents, but Marc Miller clarified that the money was intended to cover costs Quebec incurred over two fiscal years. According to Miller, the funding compensates for the disproportionate number of asylum seekers that Quebec has been processing. Specifically, Quebec handled 65% of Canada’s official border crossings and 95% of claimants entering Canada illegally last year.
How Does B.C. Compare?
When we compare these numbers to British Columbia’s (B.C.) figures, the differences are stark. B.C. received only 1.8% of asylum seekers through official border crossings and 4.2% through unofficial ones. Premier Eby voiced his concerns after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the funding to assist Quebec with services like temporary housing for asylum seekers.
Eby said, “That announcement today with Quebec, frankly, is the straw that broke this camel’s back,” during a news conference. Eby added, “I’ll say for British Columbia how frustrated we are to see the money being showered down on Quebec and Ontario, and us scrabbling around for what’s left over. It’s not acceptable.”
Does B.C. Need to ‘Step Up’ On Refugees?
Eby pointed out that B.C. sees an influx of 10,000 new arrivals every 37 days and faces a housing shortage, pushing refugees into homeless shelters. He also emphasized that international students lack sufficient support.
Miller addressed this issue by saying, “Let’s not confuse apples and oranges.” He highlighted that a large portion of people coming to B.C. are on economic programs that contribute to the economy, such as paying taxes. Miller went on to say,
“We need provinces like British Columbia to step up when it comes to actually apportioning asylum seekers.”
On applying for federal support, Miller mentioned that B.C. has not sought interim housing assistance for asylum seekers since 2019.
What Support Is Available?
Government officials, like Soraya Martinez Ferrada, the Minister of Tourism, affirmed that they are willing to work with B.C. to offer necessary support. Ferrada said, “We will work with Premier Eby to make sure that we’re there to support the people of British Columbia.”
For those looking for more information on federal immigration programs and assistance available to provinces, visit the official Government of Canada immigration page.
Conclusion
The exchange between Premier David Eby and Immigration Minister Marc Miller underscores the complexities of immigration funding and refugee distribution in Canada. While Quebec’s $750 million appears substantial, it reflects the particular challenges the province faces with a disproportionately high number of asylum seekers. B.C. has its unique issues, but federal support mechanisms are available. Addressing these disparities and finding common ground could be beneficial for all provinces involved.
Learn Today:
Glossary of Immigration Terms
- Asylum Seeker: A person who has left their home country and is seeking protection in another country but has not yet been legally recognized as a refugee. Asylum seekers must demonstrate they face persecution in their home country based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
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Temporary Resident: An individual who is granted the right to stay in Canada for a specific period of time, usually through permits or visas, including tourists, international students, and temporary foreign workers. Temporary residents do not have permanent residency or citizenship in Canada.
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Fiscal Year: A one-year period used for accounting and budget purposes by governments and businesses. In the context of the provided content, it refers to the annual financial year for which Quebec incurred costs related to asylum seekers.
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Unofficial (Illegal) Border Crossing: The act of entering a country without going through a designated entry point or without proper authorization from immigration authorities. In Canada, unofficial border crossings often refer to locations other than official ports of entry where individuals claim asylum.
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Interim Housing Assistance: Temporary support provided by the government to asylum seekers and refugees to cover their housing needs while their claims are being processed or until they can secure permanent accommodation. This assistance can include shelters, government-provided housing, or financial aid for rent.
This Article In A Nutshell:
Quebec received $750M in immigration funding to compensate for handling a disproportionate number of asylum seekers. This allocation addresses the province’s financial burden from managing 65% of Canada’s official border crossings and 95% of illegal entries. B.C.’s lower numbers explain its exclusion from this funding, despite facing other challenges.
— By VisaVerge.com
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