Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reported a steep fall in asylum filings in Quebec for the first five months of 2026. Compared with the same January‑May period in 2025, applications were down 57%, and they were 70% lower than in the corresponding window of 2024.
The data released by the federal department shows the province’s intake of people seeking protection has been shrinking for two consecutive years. In 2024, the number of claims was markedly higher, and the subsequent year saw a reduction that accelerated further in 2025, culminating in the sharp decline observed in early 2026.
Officials did not provide a breakdown of the reasons behind the drop, but the figures confirm a continued downward trajectory in Quebec’s asylum demand. The decline is measured across the entire province and reflects the total number of new applications filed with IRCC during the January‑May timeframe.
The trend follows a broader national pattern of fluctuating asylum numbers, although Quebec’s reduction is notably larger than the average change seen elsewhere in Canada. The province’s immigration officials will monitor the figures as the year progresses to assess whether the downward movement persists through the remainder of 2026.
The statistics underscore a two‑year period of decreasing asylum activity in Quebec, highlighting a shift in the flow of protection seekers to the province. IRCC will continue to update the public on future filing trends as they become available.