Ottawa to reimburse Quebec for expenditures related to asylum seekers in 2017 and 2018

Quebec Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion Simon Jolin-barrette and Sonia Lebel, Minister responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie, have reached an agreement relating to Canada’s compensation to Quebec for its expenses with the Interim housing assistance program. Quebec will receive a financial compensation of $250 million

for the exceptional expenses incurred for asylum seekers in 2017 and 2018.

Canada will also compensate the province of Quebec for its 2019 expenditures, the amount to be determined between the two once the number of asylum seekers is officially confirmed. They will pursue negotiations to implement a distribution mechanism that will allow asylum seekers to be directed towards their province of destination once they reach the Canadian border.

“For Quebec, it was crucial to compensate all the exceptional expenses that were made for asylum seekers in the years 2017 and 2018. After many months of negotiations, we have obtained a full refund for our expenditures for those two years and Canada’s commitment to reimburse the amount that will be spent in 2019. It’s a major breakthrough and confirm Quebec’s role as regards immigration,” said Jolin-barrette in a recent press release.

“Defending the interests of Quebec is at the heart of my priorities and signing this agreement demonstrates the relentless work our government does in this respect,” added Lebel. “Signing this agreement is the proof that it is essential for our governments to maintain continuous conversations about the complex issues that affect Quebecers.”