Asylum seekers “left to themselves”

“The way in which the transition is made so that people feel left to themselves,” says Laurie Arsenault-Paré, director of the crossroads of intercultural action, speaking of the impacts of the closure of the Immigration Legal Aid Office of Quebec.

It must be said that the cleaver fell without screaming. Therefore, Since the end of March. Nevertheless, the Government of Quebec has gradually withdrawn funding from organizations that offered various services to asylum seekers.

These cuts have not only forced organizations to reorganize, but create an overload of work and uncertainty for the future.

By this pilot project. However, the Quebec government wanted to move 540 asylum seekers per year from Montreal to Quebec on a voluntary basis, transporting them by bus. Similarly, The first shuttle was left on November 15, 2023 asylum seekers “left themselves” and the last, on April 16, 2025. For example, A total of 636 asylum seekers took part in the pilot project.

According to information transmitted by the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI), the pilot project cost $ 3.4 million from the start of the 2025 financial year for the year 2025-2026. For example, the cost, estimated at around $ 1 million, is still being analyzed. Therefore,

Lack of care – Asylum seekers "left themselves"

When the Immigration Legal Aid Office is closed at the end of March. Furthermore, the government had assured that “all the necessary aid will be offered to the persons concerned”. Furthermore, But in the field, reality is very different after almost four months. However,

“The people we support have a representative in their file. Furthermore, On the other hand, we note an absence of care, ”deplores Laurie Arsenault-Paré, asylum seekers “left themselves” director of the intercultural action crossroads (CAI).

“We notice an increase in stress and anxiety in connection with their migration process and an absence of confidence in the person who acts as a representative.”

— Laurie Arsenault-Paré. In addition, director of the intercultural action crossroads

The majority of them have had no or no contact with their new lawyer and their communication attempts are without return, she continues.

Saying to understand that lawyers of legal aid are overloaded. In addition, she adds that the representation is sometimes “harmful” for certain accompanied persons, due in particular to the ignorance of the file on the part of the lawyer.

“The refusal of an asylum application. Consequently, a permanent residence request for humanitarian considerations will have critical impacts on [le futur de la asylum seekers “left themselves” personne]and in many cases, on that of her children, ”she says.

“Chronophagus puzzle” – Asylum seekers "left themselves"

It is difficult to find a lawyer who accepts legal aid mandates for people accompanied by CAI. Therefore, “whose files are quickly judged to be too complicated,” notes Ms. Arsenault-Paré.

A large number of files being taken up by lawyers from Montreal. the distance and the digital divide also pose a problem, she explains, stressing that some people looking for services have had little or no education.

“Some lawyers refuse that the preparation meetings for an audience are at a distance. that implies enormous costs for families,” explains the director, citing the trip to Montreal, accommodation and having to be absent from work.

“The fact of having access only to lawyers outside Quebec makes our members very dependent asylum seekers “left themselves” on our support, for the sending of documents, the email follow -up, the online meetings, and that contributes to the overload of the stakeholders.”

— Laurie Arsenault-Paré. director of the intercultural action crossroads

“I can hardly see how our members can find an adequate representation and how the principle of equitable access to justice is supposed to be respected in there,” she denounces.

Affected health services

The premature end of the pilot regionalization project for asylum seekers. also has impacts on the Health of Refugees. The current structure will be maintained until September, says the CIUSSS of the Capitale-Nationale. Subsequently, nine positions will be deleted.

Despite the end of government funding. the CIUSS will retain its budget, three additional employees, including a social worker and a nurse to serve both the refugee customers and that of asylum asylum seekers “left themselves” seekers, confirms the spokesperson Mariane Lajoie.

The Health of Refugees Clinic carried out 1,120 interventions as part of the Quebec Government Pilot Project between November 2023 and July 2, 2025. To this number, there are 1,455 interventions with asylum seekers who arrived in Quebec on their own during the same period.

The CAI says that 262 asylum seekers were awaiting a first meeting at the Health of Refugees. Clinic at the time of the announcement of the end of the pilot project.

The situation worries Laurie Arsenault-Paré. “The majority of asylum seeking people who arrive in our services are already in great precariousness. need rapid health and physical care to avoid crises and a complexification of health issues,” she explains.

Uncertainty for accommodation

At the dwellings of the Quebec Multi -thnic Center. the funding granted for accommodation within the asylum seekers “left themselves” framework of the regionalization project for asylum seekers ended in June, despite the signing of a valid contract until March 2026.

“We had dedicated places to receive the 540 asylum seekers from Montreal to Quebec to support the integration process in Quebec City. find accommodation, make all financial requests, work permits,” explains Natacha Battisti, director general of the organization.

The rooms are not closed for asylum seekers “left themselves” the moment. because the organization has obtained an emergency support from a partner until September 30. “Until then, we hope to find funding that will help us support the process,” adds Battisti.

The Quebec Multiethnic Center. however, had to depart from four employees at the end of June due to the loss of this funding.

Asylum seekers received as part of the pilot project were added to the 500 that the Multiethnic center welcomes annually. who arrive on their own.

The funding obtained for this clientele on the part of the MIFI is insufficient, judges Ms. Battisti. It does not cover certain “basic needs”. in addition to the search for housing and an information session, according to the director general.

Abrupt end

Natacha Battisti denounces the fact that the government ended the project without notice. that the announcement was asylum seekers “left themselves” made after the departure of the last bus. Some asylum seekers. who were waiting for the end of the school year in particular, would have said that having known, they would have come to Quebec earlier.

“I understand that it is financial, but it is humans with whom we do business,” says Ms. Battisti.

She also deplores that a project is put an end to which the funding allowed Quebec organizations to structure themselves. better organize.

“We all believed in the national capital in this project, I still believe in it. Instead of stopping it, we could have sat and say to ourselves “How can we do it differently?” “

— Natacha Battisti. Managing Director of the Quebec Multiethnic Center

While the government spoke of as reason to put an end to the pilot project that asylum seekers did not all stay on Quebec territory, it considers that it was not the objective.

According to her. Quebec can act as a “reception port” for the transition of newcomers to other regions of Quebec, such as boiler-appalaches.

The pilot project. supports the director general, also had the effect of improving the reception of newcomers in Quebec, thanks to the consultation of all actors, among others the asylum seekers “left themselves” Mifi, the City, the Health of Refugees and Services Quebec.

“The idea was to work the best arrival for these people to settle properly. not in precarious situations,” said Battisti.