N.S. premier to challenge federal plan to send thousands of asylum seekers to province
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is pushing against a federal government proposal that would more proportionately distribute the number of asylum seekers across Canada.
According to numbers shared with CTV News, the federal government is asking Nova Scotia to take 6,131 refugee asylum seekers. Currently, the province has around 397 open claims, which would mean an increase of 5,734.
Houston told reporters Nova Scotia lacks the capacity to accept such a large number and asks the federal government to back off and respect the province’s “deliberate plan.”
“As a province we have a plan for population growth,” said Houston. “On the immigration side of that, with people moving from other countries, we’re focused on health-care workers and we’re focused on the skilled trades.”
Houston pointed to the rapid population growth of Nova Scotia already and alluded to the growing pressure on the available housing stock and accessing services like health care and family doctors. He emphasized Nova Scotia could not handle nearly 6,000 asylum claimants.
Ontario and Quebec together have accepted 62 per cent of all federal asylum seekers and both provinces have signalled they need help from the federal government and other provinces to take a greater percentage of would-be refugees.
Houston said Nova Scotians are caring, compassionate people, but the capacity is just not there.
“We will not be taken advantage of by the federal government,” said Houston.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bloc won't hold Liberals 'hostage' over seniors' benefits: cabinet minister
Liberal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says the Liberals will not be 'held hostage' by the Bloc Quebecois' demand to expand Old Age Security to more seniors.
Police identify Toronto victim of alleged serial killer
Toronto police have identified the woman who was allegedly killed by a suspected serial killer earlier this month.
Missing father, kids spotted in New Zealand wilderness 3 years after disappearance: police
A New Zealand man who disappeared with his three children in 2021 was spotted on a farm along the country's northwest coast, police say.
No jail time for man who fatally stabbed senior in Vancouver
A man who stabbed a senior to death in Vancouver's Biltmore Hotel building in 2020 has been given a conditional sentence for the killing, meaning he will not serve any jail time if he remains on good behaviour in the community.
B.C. billionaire posts third large sign criticizing NDP ahead of the election
British Columbia billionaire Chip Wilson has put up yet another billboard message to voters, his third post outside his multimillion-dollar mansion in NDP Leader David Eby's own riding.
EXCLUSIVE: 'We were privileged to be friends with our sister': Family mourns murdered N.S. woman
More than a month after the murder of Nova Scotia woman Esther Jones, her family continues to grapple with the loss.
Great white shark washes up on B.C. shore
In a rare occurrence, a bona fide great white shark washed up on a B.C. beach Thursday.
Job growth numbers 'good news' in Canada but there are concerns, according to an economist
An economist says the latest job growth numbers in Canada are 'good news,' but he has concerns following Statistic Canada's report.
Longueuil woman charged after 10-year-old boy scalded with boiling water
A woman from Montreal's South Shore appeared in court on Friday on charges of aggravated assault after allegedly scalding a 10-year-old boy with boiling water more than one week ago.