Quebec leaders are trying to build a metaphorical wall of their own in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to deport millions of illegal immigrants.
In the wake of Trump’s re-election, Quebec Premier François Legault warned at a Monday press conference of a potential surge of migrants moving northward, urging the federal government to strengthen border controls.
“Quebec has 600,000 temporary immigrants. That’s doubled in the last two years. This has had major impacts on the job market,” said Legault. “We don’t want a further massive influx of immigrants coming from the United States because that could really unbalance the job market.”
Legault added that Quebec is already at its capacity. He called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to strengthen and protect the border. To ensure that the border is well protected, Legault called for weekly updates on the number of immigrants coming in.
“The problem isn’t immigrants. It’s the number. We already have too many. So we shouldn’t add to the problem,” he said.
Quebec’s premier said his goal is to act immediately as he feels some people may be tempted to cross the border right away.
“We’re short on housing, nurses, and teachers. This has an important impact on the future of French, especially in Montreal,” said Legault. “We’ve done our part in Quebec. If there are other provinces that want to welcome them… But in Quebec, there are already too many immigrants.”
Immigration is not Legault’s only concern. He said his top priority is Quebec’s economic interests and that he is focused on four key sectors where Quebec exports a lot of things to the United States. The four sectors are aeronautics, aluminum, wood products, and food products.
Legault said that the trade agreement between Canada, the United States, and Mexico will be revised in 2026 but suggested that the agreement would need to be revisited right away if Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Canadian products exported to the United States.
Despite Trump being declared President-elect on Nov. 6, 2024, he only assumes the Office of President on Inauguration Day, which is Jan. 20, 2025.
Once Trump takes office, Legault said he plans to travel to Washington to meet with key stakeholders. He also intends to appoint a high-level special envoy to oversee immigration issues.
Leader of the Parti Québécois, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, joined in on the concern, warning that Trump pledged to deport up to 20 million illegal immigrants.
“We need to look at the potential mass movements that could start today in regard to Quebec, where we don’t control immigration, we don’t control our borders. And the last few years have shown us that François Legault’s inability to have any influence on Justin Trudeau can become very problematic,” said Plamondon. “The complete loss of control over immigration, it’s one of the most poorly managed, most porous borders in the West.”
Legault temporarily froze two major immigration programs on Oct. 30. The most recent suspension follows previously freezing temporary foreign workers in Montreal in Sept.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Wednesday that it is important for Canadians to have control over the border when discussing the US election.
“I do want to assure Canadians that we absolutely recognize the importance of border security and of controlling our own border, of controlling who comes into Canada and who doesn’t and we’ll do that,” she said.
