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Quebec will begin handing out welfare cheques to as many as 4,000 asylum seekers next week, the province’s employment minister said Thursday.

“Quebec has responsibilities in immigration,” Francois Blais told a news conference.

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“Now they’ll be getting welfare, they’ll be able to rent an apartment and get out of temporary accommodation, which is a good thing because it is pretty costly.”

While the minimum basic monthly payment will be $623, Blais said recipients will have to undergo a “revenue test” beforehand to determine if they are eligible for all of that amount.

There will also be an additional sum depending on the recipient’s family status.

The three-day operation will take place at Montreal’s Palais des congres convention centre, beginning next Wednesday.

Blais described the overall situation as “exceptional” and is not excluding asking Ottawa to help reimburse some of the welfare costs.