Immigration, the homelessness crisis and protecting the French language all factored into the first official meeting between Quebec Premier François Legault and new Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada on Friday.

During a joint news conference afterward at city hall, Legault positioned temporary immigration as one of the driving forces behind some of the issues facing Montreal.

“In Montreal, we have exceeded our welcoming capacity,” Legault said, decrying the impact he feels it has had on the housing crisis and the decline of French in the city.

Asked whether the premier’s views on immigration clash with her vision for Montreal as a welcoming city, Martinez Ferrada  —  who is the first immigrant woman to become mayor  —  said she understands his position.

“Montreal is a welcoming cit

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