Frechette says the immigration referendum is not an idle threat

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QUEBEC — Quebec's immigration minister, greeted with skepticism by political observers and the opposition, insisted Wednesday that a referendum to wrest more powers from Ottawa remains an option.

But Christine Frechette also said she hopes Quebec and Ottawa can reach an agreement to give Quebec more say over temporary immigrants and asylum seekers.

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“We are not ruling anything out,” Frechette told reporters at the legislature. “The referendum is part of our options – possible options.”

He made the comments after Prime Minister Francois Legault once again floated the idea of ​​an immigration referendum to pressure Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to hand over more powers.

“Should Mr. Trudeau hold a referendum so that he can be sure that the majority of Quebecers will say that (allowing) 560,000 immigrants into the province doesn't make sense?” Legolt at a press conference.

“It will depend on the results of the discussions (with Ottawa). Remember, Mr. Trudeau promised me a meeting by June 30 at the latest. So I'm waiting for the result.”

Legault's comments were met with skepticism by many observers, as he has previously talked about an immigration referendum without taking action.

However, Frechet did not back down.

“There is a deadline for discussions between Quebec and the federal government, which is June 30,” he said. “We look forward to real and tangible progress.”

When Trudeau and Legault met in Montreal on March 15 to discuss Quebec's immigration demands, they failed to reach an agreement. But while Trudeau has closed the door on giving Quebec full authority to handle the issue, Legault said the two sides will continue to talk.

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Legoule highlighted a number of specific areas that he said Ottawa is open to discussing. Trudeau and Legault agreed to meet again by June 30 for a progress report.

Frechette echoed similar sentiments on Wednesday. Quebec, he said, wants to require more French in Ottawa-sponsored temporary worker programs.

He wants to see a reduction in the number of temporary immigrants, temporary workers and asylum seekers because Quebec has limited capacity to deal with them.

Quebec is asking for a refund of the estimated $1 billion bill for welcoming asylum seekers over the past three years, as well as a better distribution of such new arrivals across the rest of Canada.

Legault also said Trudeau is open to the idea of ​​giving Quebec the right to pre-approve the admission of temporary immigrants, and that some will be denied permission to stay when they try to renew their work permits unless they can demonstrate the ability to speak French. .

“There are a number of topics being discussed now,” Frechette said, noting that progress is being made with Ottawa because, unlike a few months ago, other provinces are now raising similar beefs.

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“If we don't get a satisfactory result, we will keep all our options on the table,” added Canadian Relations Minister Jean-Francois Roberge. “But the negotiations are going well at the moment and I'm confident.”

Legault's statement, however, drew mixed reactions, starting with Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who pressured the premier to respond. At a press conference Wednesday morning, St. Pierre Plamondon decided to play ball and gave Legault his full support for organizing a referendum on immigration.

The PQ leader said he is willing to work “on his side” if the referendum gives Quebec full powers over immigration, not just certain categories.

He said Legalt can't say that getting full immigration powers is a matter of survival for the nation of Quebec and coming back with a deal that limits visas for Mexican workers and another $100 million from Ottawa.

“Let's get this back to the real question: the federal government is undermining our immigration planning by using its powers over borders, airports and certain categories of immigration under its control,” said St-Pierre Plamondon.

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According to him, the trigger for the referendum will be the relinquishment of the full powers of the federal government by June 30.

Later, during question period, St-Pierre Plamondon and Legault became deadlocked, with the PQ leader urging Legault to confirm a referendum for full powers.

“Can he confirm it's not a bluff?” St-Pierre Plamondon shot to the floor. “Because Justin Trudeau is listening.”

Legaul was willing, St-Pierre got Plamondon to admit that he did not want Quebec to get more powers because it would benefit the federation.

“The PQ leader doesn't want to move on from Ottawa,” Legault said. “What he wants is to strengthen the referendum on sovereignty. The PQ method tries to make things worse. And you know? Making the situation worse is the worst form of politics.”

The Union Quebecois sided with the PQ, saying Quebec should have full powers over immigration, while the Liberals said Legoult's talk of a referendum after repeated failures to get more powers from Ottawa was a big bluff.

Interim Liberal Leader Mark Tanguay said such a strategy would not lead to better relations.

“You don't build trust by threatening referendums,” Tanguay told reporters.

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