Immigration  I know that the hon. member with his interest and his party will also support the reforms announced yesterday by the minister of immigration to the Immigration and Refugee Board to make it a better and more viable institution in this country, and we know we would have this party's support for this kind of policy.

Immigration  Vu Van Li had his deportation order overruled by the famous Mr. Lam of the Immigration and Refugee Board who said that Mr. Li just needed to take anger management courses. Will the minister not admit that irresponsible IRB decisions like this are putting the safety of law-abiding Canadians at risk?

Borrowing Authority Act, 1995-96  Almost 40 per cent of the inhabitants of the town of Brossard, which makes up 55 per cent of the federal riding of La Prairie, are of an origin other than Canadian. Several are recent immigrants, others are political refugees. The budget would impose a fee of $975 per adult immigration request on future immigrants. We should bear in mind that this amount is more than the average annual income in several countries.

The Budget  What is the Liberal alternative to this imagined Reform Party heartlessness? The Liberals will double the fees of refugee claimants. That is really something. That is without a doubt the most blatant hypocrisy I have ever seen from this government or that party. They have done nothing in any promise for the future.

The Budget  Speaker, the member did not mention that the Minister of Finance has also instituted a loan program that would allow those individuals who believe that the $975 would be a hardship to apply for a loan. Just like refugees since 1951 have been able to absorb a transportation loan, we believe that this fee will not cause hardship. We are prepared to implement the loan program. With respect to other countries that ask immigrants to help shoulder the costs, Canada is in the middle of the spectrum where it ought to be.

Immigration  Speaker, late Friday a press release was circulated which announced officially that the minister for immigration intended to sign a treaty with the United States that would allow Canada to share responsibilities for refugee claimants with the U.S. I ask the minister of immigration, what exactly will the terms of this treaty be and why did he refuse to sign the treaty one year ago?

Peacekeepers In Former Yugoslavia  As far as Bosnia is concerned, I would like to ask him whether he would agree that in this case as well, the mission of Canadian peacekeepers should be extended as well beyond March 31, since a withdrawal of UN peacekeepers at this time will merely allow the conflict to escalate, while the civilian population and refugees will be totally deprived of humanitarian aid?

Property Rights  It amazes me that we have a Constitution and a Charter of Rights and Freedoms that guarantee the lengthy avoidance of deportation by known criminals who have come into Canada as bogus refugees but do not guarantee property rights to law-abiding citizens. It amazes me that we have a Constitution and a Charter of Rights and Freedoms that permit crimes to be committed under a defence of drunkenness but do not protect the property rights of law-abiding citizens.

Questions On The Order Paper  With respect to reports by non-governmental organizations that Vietnamese refugees interned in Southeast Asian camps are being subjected to inhumane treatment by host governments, ( a ) is the government investigating these reports and ( b ) what action does the government plan to take with respect to these alleged human rights violations?

Immigration  This man failed to comply with the conditions laid down the last time his deportation appeal was successful. Who is going to be responsible when he comes back in? Will it be the minister or the refugee board? Or would it really be most logical and likely that the minister could now overturn this and just not let him back in at all?

Immigration  Out he went and that is good. Now that we have finally kicked this fellow out of the country, why has the refugee board made a decision overriding the immigration deportation order and is now allowing him back into Canada?

Immigration  Mr. Speaker, I think the member is confusing the refugee stream and the immigration stream. The issue here is not a claim based on whether an individual is or is not HIV positive. The claim made was on the basis of being a member of a social group, in this case sexual orientation, and that there was a well founded fear of persecution.

Immigration  Speaker, this case does not set a precedent. That is why the hon. member does not understand how the Immigration and Refugee Board operates. It operates independently of the government. Also, cases are considered on their own individual merits. I mentioned to the member that there have only been two cases in the system.

Immigration  Speaker, on September 24 of last year in my constituency, Catherine Evenson, a beautiful young lady who was confined to a wheelchair, was raped in her home. The man facing rape charges is a refugee and is now trying to cement his stay in Canada by applying for permanent resident status. Will the minister of immigration intervene in this case and ensure that no permanent status in Canada is considered until the case is heard and the verdict is handed down?

Canadian Flag  I am pleased they are in Ottawa today as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Canada's maple leaf flag. As a former refugee who came to Canada with my parents, brother and sister in 1957, I now have the privilege of represent- ing the constituency of the federal riding of Waterloo. I bear witness to the idea of compassion, sharing and equity that Canadians represent and what our flag symbolizes.