The Prime Minister of Quebec is seeking to draw his fellow provincial leaders' attention to the issue of asylum seekers.

The Premiers of Canada are in Halifax this week for a Council of the Federation conference, where François Legault from Quebec says it is clear that the current situation in his province must change.

This long-standing issue has been a focus for Legault, who also addressed it last month during a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Legault stated, "We really need to reduce the number," indicating that around 190,000 asylum seekers enter Quebec each year. He added, "The future of French speakers on the island of Montreal is at stake."

Also participating in this issue is Alberta's Premier Danielle Smith.

While Alberta and Quebec share concerns about the federal government's support for asylum seekers in Canada, Smith says Alberta does not receive the same attention from Ottawa on this matter as Quebec appears to.

She said, "We would like them to honor the same commitment."

A press release from the Prime Minister's Office last month stated that Trudeau and Legault discussed the issue of asylum seekers, with a commitment made to provide $750 million in federal funds to the Quebec government for immigration-related services.

The issue of equalization is also on the agenda for discussion in Halifax before the three-day meeting concludes on Wednesday. This item is of particular concern to Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey.

The province has launched a court challenge to press for changes to the equalization formula, but Furey hopes this matter will not actually reach the courts.

He said, "We are firm in our proposal that the formula is not applied equitably and does not take into account the cost of providing services."

"As a result, it does not reflect the spirit of what was signed in the constitution."

A change was made under the Harper government that requires total equalization payments to grow in line with Canada's national growth rate. Since this change was made shortly after the 2008 financial crisis, the formula has undergone some minor adjustments, but there has not been any real major reform.