As many of you are aware, the Tamil ship that illegally entered Canada in August has raised a lot of concerns for myself and many constituents of Westlock-St. Paul. I wanted to take the time today to write you on the progress our government is making to ensure this type of backdoor abuse of our system is no longer able to go on.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper participated in a citizenship ceremony welcoming 72 new Canadians to our great country.
As we all know, Canadians are known around the world for being a generous and open society. Each year, hundreds of thousands of immigrants from around the world come to Canada in search of opportunity and a better life. These are people who work hard and play by the rules.
Unfortunately, human smugglers are taking advantage of our generosity. They are clearly targeting our immigration system and treating our country like a doormat, jumping ahead of those following the process. Our Conservative government is taking steps to stand up for Canadians and deny this kind of backdoor access to our country by introducing Bill C-49. C-49 will penalize those trying to jump ahead of the immigration queue by ensuring a designated foreign national cannot make an application for permanent residence:
• if they have made a claim for refugee protection but have not made an application for protection,
• if they have made an application for protection, until five years after the day on which a final determination in respect of the application is made; or
• in any other case, until five years after the day on which they become a designated foreign national.
C-49 will also penalize those who try and enter the country after being refused permanent residency by ensuring a designated foreign national may not apply to become a permanent resident:
• if they have made a claim for refugee protection but have not made an application for protection, until five years after the day on which a final determination in respect of the claim is made;
• if they have made an application for protection, until five years after the day on which a final determination in respect of the application is made; or
• in any other case, until five years after the day on which they become a designated foreign national.
For those assisting in shipping foreign nationals, or human smugglers, penalties will also be stiff and will include on conviction a fine of up to $75,000 and one year in jail.
Rest assured, Canadians can count on our government to stand up against human smugglers and those who seek to abuse our immigration system. We will not allow human smugglers to dock their boats on our shores without punishment.
Unfortunately however it looks as though the Liberal party may choose to block this bill. According to Liberal member of Parliament Keith Martin, “This is a Neanderthal response.”
As MP for Westlock-St. Paul, I disagree with Martin and the Liberal party.
Canada is accepting of those who work hard and play by the rules. But our message is clear: We will crack down on those who abuse our generosity and abuse our fair and welcoming immigration system.
Thank you for your time. I know this is an important issue to many of you. I encourage you to pass this on to friends and family and feel free to contact me for further information.
Brian Storseth, MP, Westlock-St. Paul
