Quebec Premier François Legault is maintaining that the province cannot accept more than 50,000 immigrants a year despite Ottawa’s plans to significantly raise the country’s immigration levels.
Legault told reporters today that the federal government needs to understand that Quebec is facing a special challenge to preserve the French language.
The premier’s comments are in reaction to the federal government announcing Tuesday that it intends to welcome about 500,000 annual newcomers to Canada by 2025. By comparison, the Immigration Department says 405,000 permanent residents were admitted last year.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa today that immigration done correctly can help address labour shortages in Quebec and that Ottawa would be there to help the province create more economic growth….