The Canadian Press
OTTAWA–The federal-provincial task force charged with managing an unprecedented flow of asylum-seekers over the Canada-U.S. border will meet tomorrow in Montreal to review the next steps in handling the surge.
Although the numbers of those crossing into Quebec seems to have moderated in recent days, officials still are ramping up the government’s ability to process their claims for refugee status.
Immigration mnister Ahmed Hussen said additional members of his department are being deployed in Montreal to allow initial claims for asylum to be assessed faster.
He said the goal eventually is to ensure his department can process those claims at the temporary shelters and camps set up to handle the 6,000 people who have crossed since July.
The vast majority are Haitians fleeing a change in U.S. immigration policy that could see them deported, but they’re one of several groups now facing that reality.
Hussen said he’s aware others also could be eyeing Canada as a safe haven, but the government would be able to respond quickly should another wave of asylum-seekers materialize.
