Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau 'Downplays' Asylum Seeker Surge At The Border

Reuters: Canada frets over possible huge surge in asylum-seekers: sources

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada fears a huge surge in asylum seekers crossing the border from the United States, putting political pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ahead of a 2019 election, sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The number of migrants illegally entering Canada more than tripled in July and August, hitting nearly 7,000. Haitians, who face looming deportation from the United States when their temporary protected status expires in January 2018, accounted for much of the inflow.

Two sources familiar with Canadian government thinking said citizens from El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras, who are slated to lose their U.S. protected status in early 2018, may also head north.

"There is concern we'll see a huge increase, mostly from Central America," said one source.

Read more ....

WNU editor: I warned about this at the start of this year .... Canada Is Becoming A Destination Of Choice For Migrants (February 11, 2017), and I also mentioned the impact that it was having on my community (the link is here) .... and yes .... I am still planning to move. As for the above Reuters post, they quote Leger Marketing pollster Christian Bourque who is saying that there were no immediate signs that support in Quebec for Trudeau was weakening. I see the complete opposite. I live in a very strong Liberal bastion on the island of Montreal, and I have seen the reaction among many of my French Canadian neighbours who are not happy with what they are seeing on the news, and what they are seeing in the neighbourhood (there are a number of apartment buildings in my suburb that are being used to house many of these new arrivals). French Quebecers are fiercely nationalistic .... and while they like to say that they are tolerant and open to outsiders .... in reality they are some of the most xenophobic people that I have ever met, and this bias is reflected on all levels of society, starting with the provincial and municipal governments themselves .... Francophones still dominate Quebec's public service (CBC). Here is an easy prediction .... Prime Minister Trudeau won the last election because of Quebec .... he will lose the next election because of Quebec .... especially if the numbers of asylum seekers surges (which I predict they will .... Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promises notwithstanding).

More News On Canada's Growing Migrant Crisis

Trudeau says steps to tackle spike in asylum-seekers yielding 'positive results' -- CBC
Trudeau plays down concerns of 'uncontrolled immigration' -- Globe and Mail
Immigration rules apply to latest asylum seekers, Justin Trudeau says -- Toronto Star
His greatest hope at freedom is escaping the US and being arrested -- CNN
Up to 2,300 asylum seekers entering Quebec through U.S. are under 18 -- National Observer

Update #1: On top of knowing that they will be receiving medical/housing/and education benefits, news reports like this one are only going to fuel even more asylum-seekers coming to Quebec .... Quebec preparing welfare payments for asylum seekers (CTV). More here .... Quebec will hand out welfare cheques to about 4,000 asylum seekers, official says (Toronto Star).

Update #2: This is not helpful. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is only digging his electoral grave in Quebec if he continues labelling French Quebec critics who are worried about the French culture in Quebec as racists .... Justin Trudeau Says Racists Won't Change Canada's Openness To Immigrants (Huffington Post).