Lucienne Robillard

[Immigration, June 7th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to point out that there is no head tax on immigrants or refugees entering Canada.

Anyone wishing to become a permanent resident of this country may apply for landed immigrant status.

Clearly, the government regularly reviews its policies, and that is what it will do when immigration is reviewed.

[Preclearance Act, June 4th, 1999]

moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.

[Preclearance Act, June 4th, 1999]

moved that the bill be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to)

[Citizenship And Immigration, May 26th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that in our situation we have all the tools necessary not to admit people who are convicted of criminality in this country. We have all these tools. More than that, when we passed legislation in the House to help us to achieve this goal the Reform Party voted against it. Now it is asking us to act. It is clear that we will act.

[Citizenship And Immigration, May 26th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, in this country we follow the rule of law. We also respect our international obligations according to the Geneva convention. This is exactly what we are doing in this case.

[Immigration, May 13th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of the difficult situation in Kosovo we did not see any political party in the country making political points on the backs of refugees.

I am really disappointed by what is going on right now. We are working for these people. Canada is one of the most generous countries of the world.

[Immigration, May 13th, 1999]

First of all, Mr. Speaker, there is no head tax in this country.

Second, I think the Prime Minister was right to say that the leader of the New Democratic Party tried to raise an issue that is not an issue.

We are in a situation right now of an emergency evacuation. We are so proud about the welcoming of these people into the country by all Canadians. We all know that they want to go back to their country so the problem does not exist.

[Kosovo, April 30th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I spoke this morning with Mrs. Ogata, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees because I wanted to know what her assessment was of the refugees' situation in the Balkans. Mrs. Ogata asked Canada to reactivate the emergency humanitarian evacuation plan that we had to receive 5,000 Kosovars and we will do so.

It is very clear that Mrs. Ogata is asking us to reactivate our emergency plan and offer to take in 5,000 people. We will be prepared to receive these people, and I am sure that Canadians will open their doors to them.

[Immigration, April 29th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, what an accusation. The hon. member is making accusations without being able to verify the facts. I am greatly surprised by the attitude of the hon. member for Hochelaga—Maisonneuve. He knows very well that I cannot comment in detail on a specific case.

It is very clear that, when a person has made use of all the processes available in Canada, the refugee determination process, the federal court, and appeal for humanitarian reasons, then at some point the person must leave the country. If there are health considerations, a medical opinion is always sought in order to be sure the person can travel safely.

[Kosovo, April 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I must say we are making all the efforts we can to facilitate family reunification. Today under our special program, the fast track process for family reunification, we have received more than 120 applications from Canadians who have relatives over there and it could include 700 people.

I am pleased to say to the member that the first refugees from Kosovo will arrive today. I am sure that Canadians will welcome them as members of our family.