This week, Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, his government wants to ensure the Canadian refugee system should be unbiased. He said so while defending controversial changes made to asylum laws included in the comprehensive budget bill. Let’s dig through the major changes in Canada new asylum law.
On Wednesday, Trudeau said that Canada is facing a lot of refugee claims due to global disturbance. He said that the law changes are made to maintain the Canadians trust over the country’s asylum system. He added that it will ensure that whosoever tries to enter Canada as refugee do so according to the law.
Each month, hundreds of migrants keep on entering Canada through an unofficial crossing in Quebec.
People take advantage of a loophole in “Safe Third Country Agreement”. This agreement allows those people to claim refugee status who enter Canada by avoiding official border checkpoints.
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Blair’s spokeswoman Marie Emanuelle Cadieux said, “Our proposed changes include measures to deter irregular migration and maintain the integrity of our asylum system by preventing access to those who make repeated claims indifferent, this encourages those who truly need protection to seek asylum at the first possible opportunity, while those who do not need to follow the rules.”
Liberals included $1.18 billion in their budget for border security and safety. Thus, they have signalled earlier for the harsh steps on border securities, asylum laws and asylum claim processing.
Canada Finance Minister Bill Morneau said, “Canada wants to maintain its reputation as a fair and welcoming country, but also one that is governed by the rule of law.”
“Every single person who comes to Canada — whether it’s regularly or irregularly — goes through our immigration system, gets the full treatment within our asylum system,” Trudeau said loud & clear.
Canada New Asylum Law – Impact Of New US Immigration Policy:
Trump’s announcement of ending program which offers temporary safe status to migrants has increased the influx of irregular migrants. This has become a challenging political situation for Trudeau’s government.
As per new US immigration policy, migrants can’t use domestic and gang violence as an excuse to seek asylum in the US.
Since April 2017, more than 3150 asylum claimants in Canada had previously requested for refugee status in the United States.
The Vancouver MP said, “The Trump government has demonized immigrants and asylum-seekers, they have removed gender-based violence and gang violence as grounds for making an asylum claim, they have taken (migrant) children from their parents … for Canada to take a page out of that with this measure is shocking to me.”
Canada New Asylum Law – Opponents’ Reaction:
Lawyers and advocates supporting asylum seekers alarmed about new law changes. They are saying that these laws will snatch the human rights of helpless asylum seekers.
Even, Border Security minister Blair says that this change will stop asylum seekers to claim refugee status in Canada.
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is blaming Trudeau for Canada’s border distress.
On Wednesday, Sheer avoided the questions about law changes and was promoting his party’s plan for a new immigration system, if they win. He declared his new immigration system plan as “fairly, orderly and compassionate”.
Moreover, refugee advocates and lawyers keep on opposing Trudeau and changes made by his government in asylum law.
Seems like Scheer doesn’t care about Country’s status but wants to blame Trudeau and promote his party for upcoming elections.
Jenny Kwan, NDP immigration critic is worried that the US rejected migrants couldn’t seek asylum even in Canada.
Kwan and Green leader Elizabeth May requested Geoff Regan, chief of House of Commons to break the budget bill. Breaking budget bill is necessary to separate non-budgetary measures like this one.
Lastly, Regan is considering the request.
So, this was everything about Canada new asylum law. Don’t forget to share your views & opinions in the comments section below. Also, subscribe to Daily Patron for more fresh news.
