Quebec Premier Francois Legault is holding firm on his plan to scrap thousands of pending immigration applications, meaning 18,000 people would have to restart the application process from scratch. Legault’s statement came shortly before the Coalition Avenir Quebec government’s immigration reform bill was expected to pass on Saturday, despite pleas from the opposition. It would also allow the government to cancel roughly 18,000 immigration applications, some from people who waited in limbo for years as their files languished in the old system. The Parti Quebecois and Quebec Solidaire said the applications of the 3,700 immigration candidates who have already settled in Quebec should be given priority under the new rules. ‘Gesture of humanity’During question period in the House, Quebec Solidaire co-spokesperson Manon Masse implored the premier to show “humanity” and “compassion” for the immigration candidates.

Source: National Post June 15, 2019 18:40 UTC