New bill proposes sweeping changes to Canada’s refugee system
Posted February 16, 2012 9:46 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Sweeping changes are coming to Canada’s refugee system.
The Immigration Minister has introduced a bill to crack down on bogus claims and force Visa applicants to give biometric data.
There will be new restrictions and penalties placed on anyone who who makes a false claim from safe countries.
Jason Kenney said that too many tax dollars are given to people who actually face no political or human rights abuses.
“Canadians take great pride in the generosity and compassion of our immigration and refugee programs but they have no tolerance for those who abuse our generosity or take advantage of our country,” explained Kenney.
The bill also eliminates some appeal processes, restricts anyone convicted of a crime and forces people applying for a Visa to provide fingerprints and photos.
The NDP says this is a step backwards and the new rules would mean that not even Nelson Mandela could come to Canada as a refugee.
Most of these changes were originally introduced in a bill from 2010, but had been taken out by the opposition in a minority parliament
