(Sherbrooke) “The open immigration authority, stop it,” Education Minister Bernard Drainville demanded of the federal government on Wednesday.
Posted at 4:03 p.m.
Patrice Bergeron The Canadian Press
In a press briefing at the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) caucus in Sherbrooke, he noted that Quebec has reached its “breaking point” in providing services to newcomers to education.
Mr. Drainville stated that there are currently 1,237 franchised classes in Quebec, equivalent to 51 elementary schools.
“Mr Trudeau, we have reached the limit, we are at the breaking point, so stop open immigration because we have a shortage of teachers and a shortage of premises in education. »
He mentioned the example of the Montreal School Service Center, where a number of franchised classes have opened, equivalent to three elementary schools, but still have 400 applications outstanding, equivalent to another school.
“We are working very hard on solutions, but Mr. Trudeau needs to help us a little. »
However, he refused to specify his request, namely whether he was asking for a cap or an immediate cut, whether it was for applicants for refugee status or other immigration categories.
The issue of immigration has arisen in the country since the beginning of 2024, particularly in connection with the housing crisis.
Last week, Quebec Prime Minister François Legault sent a letter to Justin Trudeau urging him to stem the flow of asylum seekers or else Quebec would reach its “breaking point.”
Federal officials warned the Trudeau government two years ago that a sharp increase in immigration could harm housing affordability and services, according to internal documents obtained by The Canadian Press.
Chief economists from major banks also recently issued a warning to the federal government: population growth caused by massive immigration is not economically sustainable.
This week, Québec Solidaire (QS) and the Parti Québécois (PQ) clashed again over the issue of immigration thresholds and the housing crisis, accusing each other of polarizing the debate.