Quebec welcomes slower refugee plan
The province is welcoming Ottawa’s decision to take a slower approach on the influx of Syrian refugees and insists it is up to the task of welcoming them.
But the logistical details on how Quebec plans to organize itself for the new arrivals won’t be known until Wednesday, when the ministers responsible for the issue hold a news conference to outline the province’s plan.
“We will put our plan in motion and we are ready to do our part,” Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil told reporters shortly after Ottawa announced it is extending the refugee processing period by two months.
“It’s a pace which suits us completely, which allows us to be at maximum readiness throughout the services which we have to deploy,” added Public Security Minister Pierre Moreau.
“Quebec’s objective is to welcome these people correctly, at the best possible pace. But I can tell you one thing, we are ready and we are pleased with the federal plan which has been released this afternoon.”
He welcomed in particular his federal public security counterpart statement that if there are any doubts whatsoever about a refugee’s security status, the file will be put aside. Ralph Goodale made the comment in Ottawa earlier.
Montreal had a similar upbeat tone.
“I’m really pleased with what Minister (John) McCallum made as a decision,” Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre told reporters in Montreal. “It’s an emergency and it’s important to work correctly. There’s no prize if you have 25,000 by the end of the year. And kudos to minister McCallum — he understands the role of cities.”
Coderre revealed he believes 80 per cent of the refugees will wind up living in Montreal.
“We have 1.8 million people here.” he said. “We’re used to that, we have a great Syrian and Iraqi community, great generous people — in a few phone calls we gathered 50 people representing all stake holders and we’re ready.”