Montreal Political Leader Voices Discomfort With Premier's Immigration Comments
The interim leader of Projet Montréal has publicly expressed her unease with Quebec Premier François Legault's recent comments connecting immigration to Montreal's homelessness crisis. Ericka Alneus stated she feels "uncomfortable" with what she described as generalizations about immigrants during a press conference at Montreal city hall.
Legault's Controversial Remarks During City Hall Visit
The controversy stems from comments made by Premier Legault during his visit to Montreal city hall on Friday, November 24, 2025, where he met with newly elected Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada. The premier argued that temporary immigration is contributing significantly to both the housing crisis and the decline of French language usage in Quebec.
"Coming from an immigrant background myself, I of course feel uncomfortable when people make these kinds of generalizations," Alneus told reporters on Monday following the premier's statements. She emphasized that while policy discussions are necessary to address complex issues, "we must be careful not to target groups of people."
Multiple Factors Behind Homelessness Crisis
Alneus responded to Legault's comments while unveiling Projet Montréal's new shadow cabinet, where she outlined several contributing factors to the homelessness situation that extend beyond immigration. She identified housing prices, the cost of living, and "many other" elements as significant contributors to the current crisis.
During his city hall visit, Premier Legault had asserted that Montreal has "exceeded its welcoming capacity" and repeated his call for the federal government to reduce temporary immigration levels. He noted his government's substantial investments in affordable housing and mental-health services, but acknowledged these efforts haven't kept pace with growing needs.
The premier specifically pointed to statistics showing the island of Montreal's population increased by 200,000 over two years, with more than half being asylum seekers. He directly connected this population growth to the city's challenges in addressing homelessness.
Montreal Mayor's Balanced Response
When questioned about whether the premier's views conflict with Montreal's identity as a welcoming city, Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada - the first immigrant woman to serve as Montreal's mayor - offered a measured response. "Montreal is a welcoming city, but we do understand the premier's concerns about our capacity to integrate and welcome those who come to the city," she stated.
The mayor acknowledged that Montreal receives most of Quebec's immigration and faces simultaneous crises in housing, social services, and social safety nets. She noted that some newcomers do unfortunately end up among the city's homeless population.
Alneus concluded her remarks by reinforcing Montreal's historical relationship with immigration, stating: "So I share my discomfort, especially as an elected official of the city of Montreal, whose flag reminds us that this city was also built by immigrants."
The exchange highlights the ongoing political debate in Quebec about managing immigration while addressing pressing social issues like housing affordability and homelessness support services.
