Mr. Chair, from what we understand, looking back, most of the Americans who came to Canada during the Vietnam War did not come as refugees or as individuals seeking protection or status as convention refugees. Rather, they came as visitors, as conscientious objectors. Under the Immigration Act and regulations in place at the time, they were able, by and large, to apply for permanent residence from within Canada based on their personal attributes--their skills, their language ability, their education.
On December 6th, 2007. See this statement in context.