—because in our process-driven immigration refugee system, getting these details right is essential. I would remind the committee that the head of the UN refugee agency in Canada says the changes that are proposed are “no cause for alarm”.
The other step—and this is my final point—that Ottawa has announced is talks with Washington aimed at changing the STCA so that the U.S. might take back refugee claimants, no matter where they enter Canada. Amending the STCA to close the loophole would be a real step in the direction of restoring the integrity of our immigration system. Unfortunately, Washington's motivation to help out has been low, although this may change as the number of people entering the U.S. illegally from Canada has been increasing.