Immigration minister reiterates threat to cut social assistance for asylum seekers

Quebec Minister Responsible for Minister of Immigration, Francization and Secularism Jean-Francois Roberge responds tot he Opposition during question period at the legislature in Quebec City, Tuesday, April 8, 2025 (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Due to the “sustained arrival of a significant number of asylum seekers” in Quebec, Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge is reiterating his threat to cut social assistance if Ottawa does not reimburse him for the associated expenses.

He refused to say when he would carry out the threat.

“When people have their work permits and months go by, they remain on social assistance, they don’t have jobs, they have trouble putting down roots here, and ultimately, the Quebec government will significantly reduce social assistance so that these people are encouraged to go to another province,” the minister explained at a news conference on Thursday morning.

The minister says he wants to take into account the fact that asylum seekers have children.

According to Roberge, Quebec is too “attractive” compared to its capacity to receive refugees.

For 2024, the government estimates that costs incurred by asylum seekers amounted to $733 million, including $500 million for social assistance.

The minister said he has sent a letter to his federal counterpart to voice his concerns.

In the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Canadian Press, he urged Ottawa to continue “its efforts to strengthen its ability to effectively distinguish genuine applicants and implement measures to tighten visa issuance policy and prevent arrivals in Canada under false pretenses.”

The minister also asked the federal government to “put in place concrete measures to promote the equitable distribution of these newcomers within Canada.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 13, 2025.