Denis Coderre

[Immigration, May 2nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the member has run out of arguments. Probably she is frustrated because she will not have anything else to ask because we are doing what we have to do.

I would say one thing. First of all not only do we apply the law and the new act but second, we are in front of cabinet right now because we feel that we should also redo the refugee claim process because of the length of time. I understand that people can be frustrated about the process.

The government's policy is not about building walls. Our policy is about controlling the doors, having a balanced approach with openness and vigilance. That is exactly what the government is doing.

[Immigration, May 2nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am always disappointed when the official opposition's immigration critic has not done her homework. She knows perfectly well that under the new law, issuing certificates of renunciation is the method at our disposal to fully deal with these concerns. In order to do so, we must establish a process and follow the rules. This is exactly what we have done.

Some people might wish that the process were quicker, but I think that what is most important is that we ensure that we can act, in the end. That is exactly what we have done.

[Immigration, May 2nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, because we are respectful of the rule of law and because we are respectful of the process, I would like to pay tribute to my department and the Solicitor General's department. They did a tremendous job.

What will happen now is this is in the Federal Court's hands. It will follow the process. I think it is pretty clear what the government wants to do.

[Citizenship and Immigration, April 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I can give her some more subjects to talk about. We keep repeating ourselves.

I can say one thing. He is being detained because he is a risk. He has been there for several detention reviews. We believe in the process and we are doing what it takes. It takes time to build a case. We will not let anybody make a mockery of our refugee system. That is the reason we went through cabinet and we are discussing the issue.

The most important thing is that we have a balanced approach with security and at the same time we have to build a case. When we are ready, just watch us.

[Citizenship and Immigration, April 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, first, I want to welcome the immigration critic; it is always a pleasure to talk to her in the House.

I would tell her that not only are we respecting the rule of law, but this individual has been detained. Not only are we ensuring the safety of Canadians—this person is now in detention—but we will take the appropriate action when the time is right.

[Citizenship and Immigration, April 9th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the member of Parliament told me that I was doing a good job, that I was open and that he had great communication with my staff. So I say keep your powder dry: I am not going to comment on the specifics. There is a process that we have to respect. On this side of the House we believe in the rule of law and in the process.

[Citizenship and Immigration, April 9th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I will not comment on that specific case, but I will say this. We believe in the rule of law, there is a process, and when the process is over, then I can act.

[Citizenship and Immigration, April 9th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, first of all I would say again because of what we are doing with customs right now, it is important to control the doors. That is exactly what we are doing there. We cannot comment on the specifics. I do not know specifically about those cases.

What we need to do is focus on the integrity of documents. We have to make sure that we have a management system that, with customs and other agencies and our department, will be able to do their jobs. That is exactly what we announced a few weeks ago.

[Citizenship and Immigration, April 9th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, it could have been also my colleague who answered that question. Why? Because a few weeks ago we signed a memorandum of understanding to promote exactly that policy based on coherence. That is exactly what we are doing from the primary line to the secondary line. At the same time, we have some immigration agents who are there, just before the people disembark, to make sure that we check the integrity of documents. We are doing exactly what the Auditor General is asking for.

[Immigration, April 9th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, immigration is an ongoing issue. We implemented new legislation last June 28. We have provided our agents better tools to work with and they are doing their job.

We have also great potential. We are working closely with my colleague, the Solicitor General, on a special task force with the RCMP and law enforcement. We are doing what it takes.

Our policy is not about building walls. It is about controlling doors.