Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released data showing that asylum applications filed in Quebec during the first five months of 2026 dropped sharply. Compared with the same January‑May period in 2025, the number of claims fell by 57 percent, and the decline deepened to 75 percent when measured against the same period in 2024.
The IRCC figures indicate a continued downward trajectory for Quebec’s asylum system. The province, which traditionally receives a substantial share of Canada’s refugee claims, now records the lowest intake for the first half of the year in recent memory. The decline spans the entire five‑month window, suggesting a sustained reduction rather than a short‑term fluctuation.
While the data do not explain the causes of the drop, the magnitude of the decrease is notable. A 57 percent fall year‑over‑year means that just over half of the claims filed in 2025 were submitted in 2026, and the 75 percent reduction relative to 2024 points to an even larger contraction over a two‑year span. The trend aligns with a broader pattern of declining asylum filings across the province, as highlighted by the IRCC’s latest reporting period.
Officials from the federal department have not provided additional commentary beyond the statistical release. The numbers will be incorporated into the annual monitoring of immigration flows and may influence future policy considerations. For now, the stark figures underscore a significant shift in the volume of asylum seekers choosing Quebec as their destination during the early months of 2026.