Legault backs minister who said Quebec can’t offer asylum from ‘all world’s misery’

Quebec Premier Francois Legault speaks during a news conference in Montreal, April 3 2025. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes) (The Canadian Press)

Quebec doesn’t have the capacity to take in more immigrants, Premier François Legault said Thursday amid a surge in the number of asylum seekers arriving at the province’s border with the United States.

Legault told reporters in Sherrington, Que., that the sheer numbers are stretching Quebec’s social security net to the limit.

During an agricultural announcement, the premier was asked about anger in the Haitian community over comments made earlier this week by Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge.

“It’s important to repeat, the problem isn’t the Haitians, it’s not the immigrants, it’s the number,” Legault responded.

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.” The remarks sparked outrage in Quebec’s sizable Haitian community.

Data from Canada Border Services Agency shows the number of asylum claims at the St-Bernard-de-Lacolle point of entry south of Montreal has increased since the start of the year, with a high of 1,356 applications in March and 557 claims in the first week of April.

There are fears that a crackdown on immigration in the U.S. will lead to a new influx of people heading north. During the first Trump administration, strict policies against Haitian migrants led to thousands of them travelling to Canada, mostly to Quebec.

U.S. Homeland Security said last month it was revoking, as of April 24, the temporary status of 532,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela who flew to the country at their own expense with a financial sponsor.

The Trump administration has also announced an end to Temporary Protected Status for 600,000 Venezuelans and about 500,000 Haitians — set to expire in August — though a U.S. federal judge temporarily put that on hold.

Legault said he understands that those showing up at the border are trying to improve their lives by coming to Quebec. 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.

Under the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement, people have to claim asylum in the first country they arrive in. There are exceptions: would-be refugees can cross the border and claim asylum in Canada if they have a family member in the country. Other exceptions include non-accompanied minors and those who hold valid Canadian documents.

Roberge wrote on the X social media platform Wednesday that he would not apologize for the comments, saying his intention was to accurately describe Quebec’s ability to receive newcomers.

“I understand that some words can be offensive, especially when they affect communities dear to our hearts who, moreover, are already going through difficult times,” Roberge said.

“This is particularly true of the Haitian diaspora, which is an integral part of our social fabric and contributes every day to the human, cultural, and economic wealth of Quebec.” He said the province will continue to welcome people fleeing instability. “But we must do so responsibly, respecting our capacity and the dignity of all those we welcome.”

On the federal campaign trail Thursday, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters in St-Bernard-de-Lacolle that he wants Ottawa to create a federal Department of Borders with a minister who is accountable to Parliament. In response, Legault said he does not believe more bureaucracy is the answer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2025.

Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press