Canadian authorities are set to establish a processing centre for asylum seekers near the U.S.-Canada border in Quebec, anticipating a potential rise in refugee arrivals.
This week, the federal government issued a notice seeking office space to accommodate reception and meal areas, as well as a waiting room for up to 200 individuals.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed via email that the centre is a contingency plan for handling an influx of asylum seekers.
The Public Services and Procurement Canada notice specifies that the facility must be within a 15-kilometre radius of the St-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing, south of Montreal.
The move follows Ottawa’s $1.3-billion December initiative to strengthen border security in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats unless Canada curtails the flow of migrants and drugs.
In November, Quebec Premier François Legault voiced concerns over a possible “massive influx of immigrants” due to Trump’s plans to deport migrants.
According to the CBSA, the current daily average of asylum claims has dropped to 109, nearly half of last year’s 212.
Source: Swifteradio.com
