signatures of two ministers to the effect that the person is inadmissible on
grounds of security, and a review of the certificate by a Federal Court judge.
Why we are doing it:
To make it easier to remove permanent residents who pose a serious threat
to national security.
New Inadmissibility Classes
What they are:
Two new classes of people who will be inadmissible to Canada: (1) people
subject to travel sanctions imposed by Canada as a member of an
international organization such as the United Nations; (2) people who
committed fraud or misrepresentation on an immigration application will be
inadmissible for 2 years.
Why we are doing it:
To strengthen our ability to enforce international sanctions.
To prevent immigration to Canada through fraudulent means.
Backgrounder # 3
Milestones On the Road to New Legislation
Since 1996, the Government of Canada has been reviewing immigration and
refugee policy and legislation with a view to fundamental policy reform and the
introduction of new legislation.
The comprehensive review process that has been under way since has involved a
significant number of consultations with many different groups and interests as well
as with individual Canadians. Ministers have been discussing immigration reform
with Canadians for more than four years.
This process has included:
The appointment of a Legislative Review Advisory Group (LRAG) in 1996
commenced a major consultation process both by LRAG and by the
government on their report, Not Just Numbers, in 1998.
A Red Book commitment in 1997 and 2000 to streamline and update the
immigration/refugee system, which promised to implement changes to
make Canada's immigration system simpler, more effective, and more
easily understood.
The release of the White Paper, Building on a Strong Foundation for the
21st Century: New Directions for Immigration and Refugee Policy and
Legislation in January 1999;
Consultations on the White Paper with Canadians, provinces and territories,
non-government organizations, the legal community, special interest
groups, and the business sector throughout 1999;
Immigration commitments in the 1999 Throne Speech, Budget 2000 and
2001 Throne Speech; including the 2001 Throne Speech commitment to
re-introduce legislation to streamline and improve the immigration system.
Consultations leading up to the Standing Committee Report of March 22,
2000 entitled Refugee Protection and Border Security: Striking a Balance;
and
The introduction of the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Bill
C-31 Bill C- ) in 2000 and 2001.
General agreement on fundamentals
There is general agreement that Canada needs a new Act that is simpler, more
effective, and more easily understood. Canadians want to stop abuse of our