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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 261

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 4, 2023 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 261 - Dec/4/23
Mr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Lac-Saint-Jean, BQ)
  • Dec/4/23 2:39:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, asylum seekers are a federal responsibility. The federal government must reimburse Quebec for the $460 million it has spent taking in asylum seekers. If the minister thinks that is too expensive, it is precisely because Quebec is providing more than its share. Even though our public services and community organizations are swamped, we are finding a way to open new integration classes every week. We are finding a way to help with housing. We are finding a way to help with social services. The more we find ways to help people, the more reluctant the federal government is to pay. Will the minister finally thank Quebeckers and pay them back?
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Context: House Hansard - 261 - Dec/4/23
Mr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Lac-Saint-Jean, BQ)
  • Dec/4/23 2:40:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, in order for it to be a shared jurisdiction, the minister would first have to do something. He is not just refusing to pay, he is also refusing to ensure that asylum seekers do not have to wait ages for work permits. He is refusing to ensure that the Immigration and Refugee Board reviews refugee claims in a timely manner. Basically, the federal government's involvement boils down to pushing asylum seekers into hardship and then penalizing the people who help them by providing them with services. When will the minister reimburse Quebec and do his damn job?
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Context: House Hansard - 261 - Dec/4/23
Mr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Lac-Saint-Jean, BQ)
  • Dec/4/23 2:41:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Quebec is doing everything and the federal government is doing nothing. That is no way to share responsibility. Quebeckers take in half of all asylum seekers in Canada, yet they pay 100% of the costs, instead of Canadians. The minister tells us that the government is not an ATM. I have news for him: Quebeckers are not money-printing machines either. Quebeckers will keep doing their part and more to take in asylum seekers, as long as they are not doing it alone. The minister keeps saying that he is going to meet with his counterpart in Quebec City. May I suggest that he bring along his cheque book this week?
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