Feds tighten citizenship and refugee rules..

OTTAWA — The federal government announced Thursday a compromise deal with opposition parties on a bill to reduce false refugee claims, and introduced legislation to reduce citizenship fraud.

Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said the "win-win" compromise means there is a very good chance the refugee law will be passed by July 1.

The government agreed to an opposition demand to provide an appeal procedure for failed refugee claimants from a list of countries that are generally considered democratic states which protect human rights. It also agreed to refer to that list as "designated" instead of "safe" countries — a term opposition MPs rejected.

In exchange, the opposition agreed to ensure the appeals are fast-tracked and that claimants could be deported while waiting if they apply for a further review by the Federal Court of Canada. Kenney said the maximum stay in Canada of false refugee claimants would generally drop to four months from the three or four years possible under current law.

"The opposition parties obtained their objective of universal access for failed claimants to the (refugee board) appeal division, the government obtained its objective of being able to address large waves of unfounded claimants from democratic countries by removing them more quickly," he said at a news conference.

The government imposed visas months ago on Mexicans visiting Canada as a method of cracking down on a wave of what the government called bogus refugee claims. Kenney said he cannot say yet whether Mexico would go on the designated country list; that would be up to a panel of public servants and experts.

Kenney also introduced a bill to reduce citizenship fraud, requiring that applicants be "physically present" in Canada for three of the previous four years under toughened residency requirements.

The aim is to stop people from claiming citizenship when they live abroad most of the time or use a post office box as proof of residency, Kennedy said. It would also make it easier to strip citizenship from those who hid crimes committed abroad — which would make it easier to get war criminals out of Canada.

The reforms would crack down on "crooked" citizenship consultants and impose penalties for citizenship fraud of up to $100,000 or five years in prison or both.

"Citizenship fraud is becoming a serious issue," Kenney said. "There are a number of ongoing police investigations across the country and charges have been laid into the practice of crooked citizenship consultants who sell packages on how to create bogus proof of residency in order to obtain Canadian citizenship."

The minister had seen an ad in Dubai where a citizenship consultant offered to help people, for a package fee, set up false evidence of residency in Canada to qualify for citizenship and enjoy such benefits as free health care, subsidized university tuition rates and higher salaries than those available in the Gulf states.

"My officials have noticed a trend where the same addresses pop up in our system hundreds of times over amongst people applying for citizenship, meaning that large groups of citizenship applications are using the same address to prove their residency here in Canada," he said.

New Democratic Party immigration critic Olivia Chow said she would propose amendments to the citizenship law to lift restrictions on inheriting Canadian citizenship.

The proposed new law provides exemptions for public servants and military to a recently passed law that limits Canadians living abroad to passing on citizenship to one generation of children.

The exemptions would ensure that children born or adopted outside Canada are able to pass on citizenship to children they have or adopt outside Canada.

Chow said there are many other categories of people, such as journalists and aid workers, who should be entitled to that same exemption.
© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/world/Feds+want+toughen+citizenship+rules/3136482/story.html#ixzz0qZrCKjr0

To answer the thread question, I don't think a land mass is capable of emotions, much less "racism".

It seems that stricter rules for immigrants is only racist in the landmass of arizona.. haha..

Remember the story of the pakistani feller that was killed by security officers in a canadian airport?

STW, he was the only child of an elderly woman who had saved up to get him there so, he could take care of her.

Canadian press and comments made him out to be just another dead Paki.

Yes' I believe they are pretty racist.

They do love their Muslims.

He was Polish, and what are you basing "I believe they are pretty racist" on?

there are racist people and racist policies in many western countries,, I hope it doesnt paint the whole country as racist, but it is happening

He was Polish and the press raked them over the coals about the whole incident as they should.........no idea where your getting your "Canadian Press " from

Good for Canada. They have always been more progressive in enforcing their immigration than we have here.

Since they don't believe they can identify illegal immigrants on sight, they can't be called racist.

Arizona on the other hand does believe they can identify illegals on sight and has shown their racism in more than one way.

Blame Canada, I mean, they're Canadian and stuff.

I have not met a Canadian who wasn't wonderful,, seriously. Maybe its just the personality of Canadian tourists,,but I wouldn't mind living amongst them if those I met are any indication,,,

it is not perfect, Im sure, but there doesnt seem to be the hangup about skin color or machoism (shoot first ask questions later) type of mentality...

My mistake. I was bring it up from memory. You know how it is, right?

*They hate the polish for one. The cannucks think the Poles are only good for their willingness to do what they refuse to do.

Wow. That's a pretty strong statement there. From what I've read about what's happening in America, I would venture to say that that applies moreso to the illegals in the States. Not sure where you're coming from on this issue. I would respectfully suggest that you take the time to educate yourself on what's happening in the world and not come to such conclusions based on lack of knowledge, although you are absolutely entitled to an opinion.

You can't blame an individual for government policies, in any country.

Ya' might wanna' rethink that. Seems Cananada has a long history of intolerance towards blacks. But, don't believe me. Go find out for yourself.

Here are some excerpts from a speach presented by a Canadian Politician.
http://www.senatordonaldoliver.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=160&Itemid=97

The Honourable Donald H. Oliver, Q.C.
Senator, the Senate of Canada

To the Multicultural Challenges in Canadian Universities and Colleges

The Joint Annual Conference of the
Canadian Associationfor the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education and the OUEEN

May 6, 2008

Carleton University

First of all, I would like to commend you all on the work you do in combating discrimination and racism and for creating inclusive communities in your universities I know this is not an easy task. As I have told my fellow Senators, we have to begin by openly acknowledging that racism and discrimination continue to exist in Canada.

In order to combat and eradicate racism, we need to begin by understanding the myths we have grown to believe about racism in Canada. These myths mask the reality of the lives of Black men, women, youth and children. I believe there are three major myths that have an impact on how Blacks are perceived by their fellow citizens.

• The first myth is that Canada has always been a most tolerant society – and certainly more tolerant than other societies;
• The second myth is that racism doesn’t exist as a problem in Canada anymore;
• The third myth is that every Canadian has an equal opportunity to succeed in Canadian society, no matter what their racial background.

During the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries, it was a common thing to buy and sell Black men, women and children. Equally horrific, most of the Black slaves who sided with the British during the War of American Independence found out that their freedom, if granted at all, came at a high cost. An estimated 3000 or 10% of the United Empire Loyalists that came to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI during the late 1700s were Black.

They were promised their own land, a chance to build their own fortunes and lives as free people. But, as historians note, most of them never received the land and provisions promised to them. They were cheated, left to fend for themselves or forced to work on public project such as road building.

Black women were not allowed to train as nurses alongside white women. In Ontario, the last segregated school only closed its doors in 1965. And as late as 1968, Black people were denied the right of burial in some Nova Scotia cemeteries.

This brings me to the second myth – the widely held belief among white Canadians that racism is simply not a problem of Canada today. This belief is not held among Blacks and other racialized minorities who directly experience the effects of racism.

In fact, in a recent survey, a significant number of non-white Canadians have indicated that they feel discriminated against and not at home in Canada.

How does this racism manifest itself in Canadian society? One manifestation is in the portrayal of Blacks in the media. For example, the news often makes it appear that most Blacks are “welfare customers” or “always in trouble with the police.” Another manifestation of racism is when Blacks and other minority groups are racially profiled by the police. That is, they are systematically singled out for differentially negative sanctions.

You also know that racism manifests itself in out academic institutions. I am sure you are fully aware of racist incidents that have occurred on university campuses. There have been racist incidents at Ryerson University where a bulletin board was set on fire outside the office of the East African Students of Toronto. At York University, racist graffiti was found on the door of the York University Black Students’ Alliance office and two washrooms next to the office. There have been allegations of racism when the University of Windsor’s pub, The Thirsty Scholar Pub, instituted a dress code that banned long chains, bandanas or baggy clothing.

This brings me to the third myth – that every Canadian has an equal opportunity to succeed in Canadian society, no matter what his or her racial background. Many Canadians believe that discrimination is no longer a problem when in fact it continues to be a problem particularly in the job market. I find it troublesome that hiring members of racialized communities in the public service is decreasing. Statistics show that recruitment has dropped from 9.8% to 8.7% between 2006 and 2007.

The reality for Blacks and for members of racialized groups is that despite their levels of educational attainment, their labour force representation rates remain lower than the national average.

In 1984, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations and the Social Planning Council of Metropolitan Toronto commissioned a comprehensive study on racial discrimination in the hiring process. Teams of Black and white test job applicants, who dressed the same, had the same educational qualifications and the same employment histories applied for the same jobs.

While white applicants never received rude or discourteous treatment, Black candidates experienced racial discrimination in 24% of all employer/applicant contacts. What’s more, the study showed that: “Whites have three job prospects to every one for Blacks.”

Overall, the researchers concluded: “that there is a considerable amount of racial discrimination in employment in Toronto and probably elsewhere in Canada.”

I consider myself enlightened. Thank you. I've never been exposed to nor will participate in anything that remotely resembles racism. I'm not saying that it does not exist, just that it does not exist in MY life. All goverments in the world speak for themselves, not necessarily for the individual. As far as what I can see, there is more discrimination against causasians. Just walk into any government office up here. Lucky if you can find someone who was born and raised here. Even when phoning there, it's sometimes impossible to understand what the person at the other end is saying. And they supposedly speak English.

As, I would respectfully suggest Canadians quit denying they have a very dark and bloody racist past.

I've been informing myself fer years. n

Someone, on POF a few years ago brought up a similar topic.

Here's another bold statement for ya'.

During the running of the slaves in the underground railroad, some of the slaves were diverted to canada. They thought they might be safe there.

A few were but, the majority were resold into slavery in Canada.

As I said before, racism is not part of my life, therefore, I don't go out of my way to look for when and where it is happening. That is not to say it doesn't exist. Apparently, I'm not nearly as aware as I thought. I treat all people with respect, if they deserve it.

Canadians don't want Illegal Mexicans either.

Remember Windsor a couple years ago?

Illegals shipped up there from Florida were turned back after realizing they weren't really political refugees. I think near 1,000 Illegals got in before they figgered out they were bein' duped.

Windsor was cryin' that the Illegals were straining their economy.

Imagine if they had all 20+ million of 'em.

I wouldn't allow any undesirables into my home either. If you want to be welcomed into my home, conduct yourself accordingly. Same applies to ppl wanting admittance to a country.

What????

So, it's good enough for the US but Canada wants no part of it.

You don't want 20 million Illegals up there?

They are just lookin' to make a living and live the Canadian dream.

They won't be a drain on the economy or Medical Clinics there.

They won't be so low as to be working and collecting welfare at the same time.

They won't put a strain on your school systems.

Nor, will ya'll have to have schools teach English/French as a second/third language.

They will respect all your customs and not demand Spanish history be taught to ya'lls kids.

They surely won't disrespect your flag or demand the right to fly theirs when and where they wish.

Don't allow Canada to be so hateful towards the Illegals!

They won't demand citizenship.

They won't demand ya'll provide communication in Spanish, instead of them learning English or French.

They won't demand your Gov. make everything available to them in Spanish.

Go ahead and welcome them, please. I promise, they won't bring drugs or more gangs there.

And they will do all the jobs lazy Canadians won't do.