QUEBEC CITY – Politicians in Quebec’s National Assembly held an emergency debate Tuesday on the possible influx of Syrian refugees into the province.
The debate began with a minute of silence to honour the victims of the Paris attacks.
Then, on a motion from the Coalition Avenir Quebec, they agreed to ask the federal government to take the time required to properly welcome Syrian refugees and to ensure proper security checks are made.
READ MORE: Breakfast Buzz: Should Canada delay accepting Syrian refugees?
All the same, the government reiterated that Quebec is ready and willing to open its doors to Syrian immigrants.
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard insisted the province is prepared and the situation is urgent.
“There is a degree of urgency to bring them in because these families, who are the victims of terrorism, are in refugee camps as we speak,” he said.
“Even in the Middle East, winter can be very cold and we have to think about that and expedite things as much as we can without making any concessions towards security screening.”
READ MORE: English community shut out of Quebec’s Syrian refugee plan, says LBPSB
Quebec is already preparing for the arrival of 3,600 refugees from Syria in the next few weeks and is now waiting for the federal government to outline plans for even more to be welcomed into the province.
Comments