Thank you for that question.
The Quebec Bar is very concerned with these discretionary powers going into the hands of a single minister. We feel that it is unacceptable that a minister can declare an entire country to be safe. Each case has to be considered on its own merits. You cannot say, for example, that Mexico is a safe country because so many people are murdered there each year and women are beaten by their husbands. Maybe some people in Mexico are safe. But others are in danger of being killed or beaten. The situation for homosexuals is one of a number of examples.
The question also arises for designated foreign nationals. In a democracy where the rule of law prevails, it is very important to have automatic regulators, to have checks and balances, to have judiciary power in order to evaluate government decisions.