Of particular concern and what actually drives us to come and be present here this afternoon is clause 19 of the proposed legislation.
Clause 19 has the potential to place legitimate refugees in jeopardy of losing their permanent residency status and of their removal from Canada. It would permit the deportation of refugees who have been accepted as permanent residents.
Clause 19 would apply to all former refugees, we believe, both those identified overseas who arrive in Canada with their permanent residency status--as is the case for those we sponsor--as well as to those gaining that status after a successful inland claim.
Clause 19, we believe, undermines our commitment to resettle refugees and provide them with the security of permanent residency.