In actual fact, the legislation already exists. But if certain people were not able to apply it, that's another matter. In any case, I am going to switch gears.
In explaining the rationale for the bill, the government cited a number of high-profile cases to instill a sense of fear in the public. We absolutely agree that those cases are appalling. However, they do not reflect the whole reality, in other words, the overall state of affairs. What the government is doing is unfortunate.
We're dealing with the immigrant community and refugees. And I can tell you that, over the past seven years, 250,000 immigrants have come to Canada each year, totalling some 1.75 million people. The cases you referred to in your presentation, the same ones cited by the government, are only a drop in the immigrant bucket, so to speak. These people are members of our communities and contribute to our economy and our culture. I think the minister and the government would do well to remember that a mere drop in a bucket does not justify an entire bill, especially when the measures already exist.
I'd like to hear your comments on something the minister said about Jackie Tran. It's fascinating what you see on a blog. I am going to read you a statement made by Raj Sharma, a former immigration officer who is now a partner at an immigration law firm in Calgary:
Notwithstanding the general relief felt by (apparently) most Calgarians, Tran's deportation does not actually make them any safer, or any less susceptible to the increasing levels of gang violence in Calgary (the fact of the matter is that most criminals are Canadian and therefore cannot be deported). Moreover, Tran's removal had less to do with his criminal record and more to do with his unpopularity and the fact that he had somehow became the public face for organized crime in Calgary.
I would like you to respond to that comment and tell us how you believe deporting an individual like that makes Canadians safer.