Supreme Court Rules Asylum Seekers Eligible for Quebec Subsidized Daycare

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Quebec cannot deny asylum seekers access to the province’s subsidized daycare system.

In an 8–1 decision issued Friday, the country’s highest court dismissed the province’s appeal and upheld an earlier ruling that challenged the policy.

Court finds discrimination against refugee women

Justice Andromache Karakatsanis wrote the majority opinion. She concluded that Quebec’s daycare regulations unfairly discriminate against refugee claimants, particularly women.

According to the ruling, women asylum seekers face greater hardship because they often carry a larger share of childcare responsibilities.

The decision explained that the policy violated rights protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Daycare restrictions affect work and integration

The court also noted that denying access to subsidized daycare makes it harder for refugee claimants to work. As a result, the restrictions limit their ability to integrate into Quebec society.

In addition, the judges said the policy could increase costs for the province. Without childcare support, many families rely more heavily on social assistance programs.

Ruling expands earlier court decision

The decision goes beyond a previous ruling by the Quebec Court of Appeal. That court had suggested granting daycare access only to asylum seekers who held valid work permits.

However, the Supreme Court ruled that all refugee claimants with children should be eligible for Quebec’s subsidized daycare program, regardless of their work permit status.
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