Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to take part in this adjournment debate and explain the safe third country agreement to Canadians.
The safe third country agreement is based on the principle that individuals should seek asylum in the first country they arrive in. This principle is accepted by the United Nations Refugee Agency. It is important to note that the safe third country agreement applies only to refugee claimants who are seeking entry to Canada from the U.S. via land border only, and does not apply to asylum claims made inland. It also does not apply to claims made by people intercepted while entering Canada at a place that is not a legal point of entry.
Foreign nationals from any country may make a claim for asylum in Canada. Immigration officers receiving a refugee claim will decide whether the claim is eligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, an independent administrative tribunal that makes decisions on immigration and refugee matters.
The Immigration and Refugee Board decides who is a convention refugee or a person in need of Canada’s protection. Once a claim is made, individuals may also apply for social assistance which is the responsibility of provinces and territories.
The safe third country agreement remains an important tool for Canada and the U.S. to work together on the orderly handling of refugee claims made in our countries.
As the minister mentioned yesterday in the House, the head of the UNHCR in Canada is on record as stating that the domestic asylum system in the United States is intact, and therefore it would be irresponsible, and I did say irresponsible, to withdraw from the safe third country agreement.
Having said that, if the NDP would like to have discussions with the High Commission, whose team has very specialized knowledge of this area, it is free to do so. We will continue to monitor this evolving situation and we are working with the United States as it reviews parts of its resettlement program.
The Government of Canada will continue to provide protection to those in need, as always.