Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table a petition signed by 105 residents of Quebec, who are asking Parliament to intervene to ensure that immigration officials enforce the Immigration Act without discriminating against people connected with the Patriarche. Established in more than 15 countries including Canada, the Patriarche is a not for profit organization assisting addicts, including those from abroad.
Since 1992, immigration officials have denied entry to addicts who cannot prove they have been drug-free for at least two years. This is unjustified, as neither the legislation nor the regulations provide for the enforcement of this two-year criterion.