Asylum seeker numbers rise
The border is seeing a rise in asylum seekers as the U.S. policy of finding and punishing irregular immigrants – or any immigrants, really – threatens so many. In Montreal, schools and community groups are concerned about finding the means to assist the influx of newcomers.
SMD 09:19 on 2025-04-09 Permalink
Fifty years ago Quebec started welcoming “boat people” fleeing south-east Asia. The political movement, started by provincial immigration minister (and Jesuit priest) Jacques Couture, ended up settling and integrating 180,000 refugees who went on to make rich contributions to Quebec society.
La Presse had a thoughtful and moving dossier on the anniversary this weekend, including this insightful quote from Rémy Chhem, whose family was part of the mass immigration:
Kate 09:37 on 2025-04-09 Permalink
This is the thing. We have a falling birthrate and a crying need for hands for all kinds of work. This situation should be seen as an opportunity, not a burden.
But we need to get housing built pretty fast, whatever happens.
SMD 20:58 on 2025-04-09 Permalink
Addendum: we need affordable and appropriate housing built fast. There is no shortage of overpriced one-bedroom condos. They represent the majority of new builds yet do not meet the needs of the majority of tenants. They are perfect as a safe asset class, however, and will continue to be bought simply as investments. What society actually needs are off-market homes, where families can have room to live and not break the bank on rent.
Chris 21:08 on 2025-04-09 Permalink
>On pourrait se demander pourquoi cet esprit humanitaire et de solidarité ne se retrouve plus aujourd’hui
Because housing.
roberto 07:50 on 2025-04-10 Permalink
Can our healthcare system, currently being slashed away to bits, afford to support more people? Can any of our government services afford to service a bigger population? Is it that we don`t have the will or that we don`t have the budget? WIth the record deficit, it`s clear that we don`t have the funds to afford it. Which brings us to taxation and the problems we have as a society in taxing the rich. Tax rates for the super rich are at historic lows and something needs to be done about it because it`s starving our society and making these growth oppertunities immposible. To the CEOs, all that matters is the current quarter and the immediate bonuses – no one is planning for a sustainable future anymore.
Kate 11:19 on 2025-04-10 Permalink
With a bigger population the government will be collecting more tax. Maybe not right away, I admit, if the people arriving need a moment to get jobs and figure out what they’ll be doing. But this shouldn’t be seen as the influx of a horde of freeloaders. Most people want to work. If they’re not massively ambitious for themselves, they’ll want to see their kids do well.
And yes, tax the rich.
This would be a great time for Canada to get together with other countries and do something about outlawing tax havens.