Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for her question.
It is clear that this bill will not put an end to refugee smuggling. It targets refugees as opposed to the real criminals. We also feel that this bill is discriminatory because it creates two classes of designated claimants. There is the likelihood of violating equality rights as set out in the charter and in the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, which prohibits a government from imposing penalties on refugees for illegal presence or entry.
We believe that the Conservative government needs to stop using refugees as a political tool and that it must respect human rights.