Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to participate in this debate on Bill C-44, an act to amend the Immigration Act and the Citizenship Act.
Many of my constituents have expressed concerns regarding immigration and I welcomed the minister this past September in Guelph where he spoke to us about this important issue.
Guelph-Wellington has welcomed immigrants in the past and it wants to welcome immigrants in the future. According to the last census our community is made up of new immigrants from Great Britain, Central and South America, India, various parts of Europe and parts of the Caribbean and Asia. Guelph-Wellington residents speak Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Armenian and a host of other languages in their homes. Italians, Ukrainians, Germans, Austrians and other ethnic groups have associations where children learn about their heritage and people come together with others from their native lands to celebrate what they have in common.
Each one of these individuals no matter what their country of birth or their language has a desire to live here in Canada. Their Canadian citizenship is the tie that unifies and joins them all with us.
There is no doubt that Canada is the best country in the world. It is then obvious that people from every part of the globe would want to share our abundance and come to communities like Guelph-Wellington to begin to live new lives in freedom and with the hope of prosperity.
We have been generous as a people and a government, however my constituents have asked me to review the immigration system in order to ensure that our generosity is not abused. This bill is long overdue. It is necessary if we are going to restore integrity to a system that has been damaged by those who reject our generosity, ignore our laws, and fail not only every Canadian but everyone who wishes to immigrate to Canada.
Our immigration system has been built on the same elements that have made our country great. Determination, respect for each other and for our laws, hard work, and dedication to self and family have been the hallmarks of Canadians born here and elsewhere.
Guelph-Wellington's workforce is well respected because of its people. They have a tradition of excellence learned from their parents and grandparents who brought with them from foreign lands the desire to work hard and build products that are durable and of excellent quality. We have had the lowest unemployment in the country because of these qualities. Our business leaders have names like Samuelson, McCarthy, Briestensky, Sleeman, Youngman and Hasenfratz. By working together, old Canadians and new, natives and immigrants have built Guelph-Wellington into one of the finest communities in Canada.
This bill recognizes that abuses have occurred and places our generosity on notice. This bill attempts to address the concerns of the people of Guelph-Wellington and elsewhere all through the country who have witnessed a desire for fairness being questioned and challenged by individuals who have no respect for our laws. We are doing something about those who fail to recognize that our society does not tolerate criminals and criminal acts.
Bill C-44 is another example of a government that listens. Canadians have expressed legitimate concerns about current abuses. Every member in this House has heard them. This legislation is intended to help police forces do their jobs more effectively. I recently met with police in Guelph-Wellington who are frustrated by obstacles that hamper their important work.
We have listened and we are acting now. My constituents have demanded that serious criminals who are a danger to the public not be allowed to claim refugee status as a means of delaying their removal from Canada. This bill ensures that a refugee application is not a tactic for stalling.
My constituents have asked the government to eliminate the opportunity for one person to have several refugee claims processed at the same time. This bill answers those concerns.
My constituents have also asked that persons with summary convictions, whether obtained here or abroad, not be allowed to enter this country. This bill responds to that concern as well.
My constituents agree that refugees should be welcome to Canada under certain circumstances. They have watched the horror and famine in Somalia, the destruction caused by the war in Bosnia, and the plight of children in Romania. They want to share their abundance and protect genuine refugees, but they will no longer tolerate those who use the refugee system to hide behind criminal convictions and avoid deportation.
My community has examples of refugees who have been forced to flee from their countries of birth and have made successful lives in Canada. Sadly this is not always the case. Guelph-Wellington residents are tired of those who abuse our system. They are disappointed that their concern and care have been rejected by those who have no respect for their generosity.
I welcome the amendments that have been brought forward by the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. These amendments clarify the definition of criminality and improve the enforcement package that was put forward by the minister.
These amendments also clarify timeframes and various technical points. All members of Parliament should be proud that the work of our committees and the work of the immigration committee is finally coming to fruition in this legislation. This is what our constituents have been asking us to do.
Bill C-44 gives the minister and senior immigration officials the tools to deal effectively with the concerns raised by my constituents and millions of other Canadians. This legislation, together with the immigration package recently announced by the minister, increases the credibility of our immigration system.
Canadians and those applying for immigration status at embassies and consulates at every corner of the world want a system that is fair, balanced and credible. Constituents who visit my office daily or write to me with immigration application concerns want fairness. They know there are the few who make it even more difficult for their children, their spouses, their parents and siblings to make application and be accepted into this country. They want fairness too. Those who abuse make it difficult for those who want to come to Canada to be reunited with their families and contribute to our society.
Bill C-44 prevents exploitation of our generosity. It speaks to fairness and attempts to end abuse. Who in this House would not want that? The bill recognizes the hard work and contribution of immigrants, while realizing that Canadians no longer accept criminal acts by bogus individuals or those who attempt to come to or remain in Canada to perpetuate their criminal lives. They will not stand for it.
Liberals have a long history of tolerance and fairness. We helped build Canada with people of every race, from every part of this world. Tough times have made us question our ability to welcome new immigrants.
It is my belief that we can encourage new Canadians to become active participants in our great society, while recognizing the legitimate concerns of our citizens, many of whom are first or second generation Canadians themselves. This legislation informs those who question our generosity that we will no longer allow abuse.
Our country can be shared, but with those who respect our laws and want to contribute to make this nation great. My
constituents have demanded no less. For them this legislation, Bill C-44, deserves every member's support.
