Photo: The Canadian Press Quebec Premier Francois Legault. Quebec Premier Francois Legault says the province cannot accept more than 50,000 immigrants a year despite Ottawa’s plans to significantly increase the country’s immigration levels. Legault told reporters today that the federal government must understand that Quebec faces a special challenge in preserving the French language. The prime minister’s comments are in response to the federal government announcing Tuesday it plans to welcome about 500,000 annual newcomers to Canada by 2025. By comparison, the Department of Immigration says 405,000 permanent residents were admitted last year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa today that the right immigration can help address labor shortages in Quebec and that Ottawa will be there to help the province generate more economic growth. Quebec’s immigration deal with Ottawa allows the province to welcome a percentage of newcomers to the country — 23 percent — that would equate to about 115,000 people if Canada accepted 500,000 immigrants a year. Legault says the most annual immigrants the province can properly integrate is 50,000, adding that even the most ambitious plan presented by one political party during the recent provincial election set a maximum target of 80,000 newcomers. Do you have an opinion? Send it to [email protected] November 1, 2022 – 9730 votes Is it too early to put up Christmas lights and decorations? Yes: 7175 No: 2403 Uncertain: 152 Oct 31, 2022 – 10798 votes Do you think more money for doctors in BC will lead to more family doctors? Yes: 5704 No: 3680 Uncertain: 1414 October 29, 2022 – 9453 votes Do you believe in ghosts? Yes: 4439 No: 4251 Uncertain: 763 27 October 2022 – 10068 votes Will you be wearing a poppy this year? Yes: 8735 No: 881 Uncertain: 452 October 26, 2022 – 7469 votes Should Ontario Premier Doug Ford testify at the public inquiry into Ottawa’s use of the Emergency Act? Yes: 5648 No: 1448 Uncertain: 373
