House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 65% of the vote.
Immigration March 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I have answered that question. The department was notified at the end of January by the RCMP that it had sufficient information on the individual's identity and whereabouts.
It asked us to proceed to arrest, which we did. We detained him. He is presently in custody and awaiting a deportation hearing.
Immigration March 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I think it is important for members to understand the procedure. As soon as the RCMP investigation provided evidence as to the identification and the whereabouts of this individual, my department was informed so that deportation proceedings could begin.
He was arrested. He is in detention and is presently awaiting a deportation hearing. He is not a permanent resident.
Immigration March 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I want to be as helpful in explaining this to the member as I can. If someone is in Canada without legal status, the individual can be deported.
Once we had evidence that was provided by the RCMP to my department at the end of January, this individual was arrested by immigration officials and deportation procedures began. I was personally informed about this around the end of February. I think the facts speak for themselves.
Immigration March 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration I have responsibility for deportation. As soon as the RCMP had sufficient evidence so that we knew the whereabouts and identity of this individual, my department was notified, the individual was arrested, detained and deportation proceedings began.
Immigration March 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, first, it is important for people to know that this individual is not an immigrant. There was an original permanent resident application made. His name was removed from that application by legal documentation. When he was subsequently sponsored his application did not go forward. He is not a permanent resident of Canada.
As soon as we sufficient information was given to us by the RCMP he was arrested. He is in custody and is awaiting a deportation hearing.
Immigration March 13th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, first, the individual is not a landed immigrant or permanent resident of Canada.
Second, there were no inappropriate interventions made on his behalf. My department receives over 6,000 requests from members of this House annually.
Third, it was the RCMP that did the investigation. As soon as it had the evidence it gave it to my department. Within three weeks that individual was detained and is now awaiting a deportation hearing. That is the way the job is done.
Immigration March 13th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite has it wrong again. The RCMP conducted an investigation. Once it had the evidence it gave the information to Citizenship and Immigration Canada which got a warrant and detained the individual who is now awaiting a deportation hearing. Those are the facts.
Immigration March 13th, 2001
No, Mr. Speaker. This individual was not granted permanent residence status. He was refused permanent residence status.
Immigration March 13th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, in fact our frontline officers are experienced. Last year 65,000 people were stopped. Some 7,200 of them were stopped because of criminal concerns.
When we have evidence, our frontline people can refuse admission to Canada to those who are inadmissible. That is the way it works. They have to have evidence before they can stop them.
Immigration March 13th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, once again the member opposite speaks to a case that is before the courts.
This is an individual who was arrested. Surely he would not expect us to give a play by play of what is happening in a court in the United States and would not want to jeopardize the outcome of that trial.