The federal government is providing assistance to migrants who are crossing the unofficial border of Roxham Road by moving them from Quebec to other provinces, according to Quebec’s Minister of Immigration Christine Fréchette. Fréchette stated that the provincial government is “very happy” with the federal government’s action, which was requested by Quebec. She revealed that nearly all of the 380 migrants who entered Quebec through Roxham Road on Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 have been relocated to other provinces, predominantly Ontario. The federal government has also booked 500 hotel rooms in Ontario for the migrants.
Fréchette further noted that Quebec is asking Ottawa to keep the share of migrants who enter Canada through Roxham Road and stay in Quebec at around 23 percent. She added that around 60,000 asylum-seekers arrived in Quebec last year, which is far beyond the province’s “welcoming capacity.”
The New York Post reported that some migrants in New York City were given free bus tickets to Plattsburgh, N.Y., which is located 35 kilometres south of the Quebec border. From Plattsburgh, migrants can travel to Roxham Road by shuttle or taxi in about 30 minutes. New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that the city does not pressure migrants to leave, but some express a desire to move on to other places, including Canada, which the city then partially facilitates.
Quebec Premier François Legault urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to make an official statement that would dissuade migrants from coming to Canada in search of asylum. Federal Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said that Ottawa is in discussion with other provinces to find a way to “lighten the burden on Quebec.” He stated that the relocation is done on a voluntary basis and that Ottawa has been there to support Quebec since the beginning.