Franకోois Legalt reiterates his intention to welcome Afghan refugees

In a message posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, Mr Legalt said the government was doing its part to welcome as many refugees as possible, “especially women who have been abused”.

Earlier this week, he said, Quebec was ready to welcome many Afghan refugees.

The prime minister did not say how his government would like to help those settling in Quebec.

Federal Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced on Friday that he would expedite the process of relocating and welcoming the families of interpreters and others who have assisted the Canadian mission in Afghanistan.

Premier Legalt sought to console Quebec soldiers involved in the Canadian intervention in Afghanistan. Twenty years after the United States invaded the country, they can be confident that their existence has been to no avail since the Taliban regained power.

He said the intervention in Afghanistan had made progress there. “We certainly wish for more lasting progress, but your missions have been very positive for almost two decades. You can still be proud of this. However, I’m very proud of our Quebec soldiers.”

We are sure to wish you more lasting progress, but for almost two decades your missions have brought a lot of positivity. You can still be proud of this. However, I am very proud of our Quebec soldiers.

“I was amazed at the images of fear and anguish that reached us,” the prime minister said.

Mr Legalt said he was concerned about the living conditions of Afghan women. “Whether we agree with Western intervention or not, your back will shake when you think about what these little girls and women are celebrating in the coming months,” he said.

He said the plight of Afghan women should convince our society to stand “with more power and pride” for gender equality.