Quebec has paid close to$ 50 Million to asylum-seekers in 2017

Photo Agence QMI, Joel Lemay

Marc-André Gagnon

Monday, 12 February 2018 12:11

UPDATE
Monday, 12 February 2018 12:14

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The massive arrival of migrants at the u.s.-canada border, especially last summer, has forced the Quebec government to grant nearly$ 50 Million in financial assistance to asylum-seekers in 2017, which is two times more than in the previous year.

For comparative purposes, the ministry of social Solidarity paid only$ 18.5 Million in benefits to households with the presence of at least one asylum-seeker, in 2016.

The arrival of Donald Trump at the White House and the implementation of its threats of eviction of immigrants from Haiti soon to change that.

The sum of benefits has grown steadily throughout the last year, reveal documents obtained by our parliamentary Bureau. A total amount of$ 1.7 Million in January 2017, the financial assistance paid on a monthly basis has crossed the bar of$ 2 Million, in the spring, before reaching the$ 3 Million, in July, for then to explode to$ 5 Million, in August last.

$ 21 Million in three months

As reported by The canadian Press before the Holidays, Québec has provided$ 21 Million in last-resort financial assistance during the first eight months of the year. The most recent update available, however, reveals that a sum equally important has been paid during the three months that followed (September, October and November).

Even if the data are not yet available for the month of December, we can move forward without too much to assume that the total amount should be slightly higher than that of November, or$7.4 Million.

The minister Blais reacts

The american president has more recently threatened to expel nearly 260 000 People by September 2019, it’s a safe bet that the influx of migrants will continue to the canada-u.s. border, particularly in the area of Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle.

Quebec has expanded its financial assistance programs as of the date of the 1st of February, the bill is likely to be even more salty.

It remains, however, far short of the amounts paid, particularly in the wake of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. This year, the last-resort financial assistance to households with at least one asylum-seeker had reached the sum mirobolante of$ 73 Million, dropping to$ 58.5 Million in 2011, and$ 48 Million in 2012.

“Quebec has international commitments that must be adhered to. As in 2010 and 2011, Québec’s contribution is more important this year”, has also reacted to the minister of Employment and social Solidarity, François Blais.