Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused Quebec Premier François Legault of making statements about immigration that he “knows aren’t true,” as the two leaders continue their ongoing conflict over the issue.
Trudeau’s remarks come after Legault urged the Bloc Québécois last week to support a Conservative non-confidence motion aimed at bringing down the federal Liberal government. Legault argues that the Liberals have not taken strong enough action to reduce temporary immigration in Quebec.
The Quebec premier has suggested making immigration a key issue in the next federal election and has called on all political parties to commit to halving the number of non-permanent residents in the province.
In response, Trudeau stated today that his government has implemented measures to limit the number of newcomers. These actions include closing a popular route used by asylum seekers, reinstating a visa requirement for Mexican nationals visiting Canada, and working to reduce the number of new temporary workers and international students across the country.
Trudeau emphasized that while the federal government has taken steps, Premier Legault has yet to present a plan for reducing the temporary workers that fall under provincial jurisdiction.
Legault has previously noted that over the past two years, the number of temporary immigrants in Quebec has doubled from 300,000 to 600,000, placing increased pressure on housing, schools, and public services.