Trump win could see migrant influx, ‘negative’ impact on Quebec economy: Legault

Quebec volition intimately show the imaginable impacts a caller Donald Trump presidency volition person connected migration and the economy, the province’s premier said Wednesday.

François Legault was addressing the result of Trump clinching the United States statesmanlike election successful a governmental comeback that saw him decision Kamala Harris.

It volition beryllium Trump’s second, non-consecutive word astatine the helm of American enactment and, arsenic a result, Legault says helium volition instrumentality a “working group” composed of respective furniture ministers to support Quebec’s interests.

“Americans voted yesterday and Mr. Trump won,” Legault said astatine the provincial legislature. “And we person to respect that result.”

But Legault was speedy to laic retired his concerns astir Trump’s victory, informing of a imaginable inpouring of asylum seekers astatine the borderline and steeper tariffs connected exports from Quebec.

When it comes to immigration, Legault says the state has “done its part” and simply cannot instrumentality connected much caller arrivals. Trump has promised to deport millions of undocumented immigrants from the United States arsenic 1 of his apical priorities.

“We should not spot a monolithic influx of immigrants coming via the United States, due to the fact that that could truly unbalance the occupation market,” helium said. “And already, our reception capacity, our integration capableness is overwhelmed.”

Quebec’s premier is peculiarly disquieted astir much asylum seekers astatine some onshore borders and airports. Legault says his authorities is looking astatine further securing its ain onshore borders with the U.S. if necessary.

“First what I privation to bash is marque definite that Mr. (Justin) Trudeau and the national authorities takes this seriously. I privation a follow-up each week astir the fig of immigrants we get successful Quebec,” Legault said.

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The comments travel arsenic the Legault authorities has implemented stricter migration policies successful caller months. Last week, Quebec suspended 2 large programs that are pathways to citizenship, saying it wants to “better regulate” newcomers to the province.

Legault’s different main interest is the economy. He pointed to imaginable steeper tariffs nether Trump for Quebec’s exports, peculiarly erstwhile it comes to the aeronautic sector, wood products, aluminum and nutrient products.

“Unfortunately, we indispensable expect that determination volition beryllium actions taken by Mr. Trump and his squad that could beryllium antagonistic for Canada’s system and Quebec’s economy,” Legault said.

“I deliberation we person to archer ourselves the truth. There are jobs astatine stake. So we volition person to beryllium precise strategic, particularly successful cardinal sectors, wherever Quebec has a batch of exports to the United States.”

Legault’s comments travel arsenic different Canadian politicians, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, congratulated Trump successful posts connected X.

— with files from Global’s Gabby Rodrigues and The Canadian Press