Refugees
Ms.
Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral (
Laval
Centre, BQ): Mr. Speaker, a number of days ago, three
Palestinians who were denied refugee status sought sanctuary in the
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce church in
Montreal
to avoid being deported. Although Thérèse,
Khabil and Nabih Ayoub lived in refugee camps for 50 years,
Canada
has no qualms about giving them a one-way
ticket to a refugee camp in
Lebanon
.
Can
the minister explain the logic behind
Canada
's decision to refuse to grant refugee
status to applicants, although these same authorities confirm that status by
sending them to refugee camps in
Lebanon
?
[English]
Hon.
Judy Sgro (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, as
she knows, I am not able to comment on a particular case, but all cases are
given full and due process. When people seek sanctuary in a church, we do not go
after them. We have a very fair process. One of the processes that is often
criticized is that we are too fair.
Canada
can be very proud of the processes we
have in our immigration and refugee system.
[Translation]
Ms.
Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral (
Laval
Centre, BQ): Mr. Speaker, the current Immigration and
Refugee Protection Act came into force on
June 28, 2002
, and the refugee appeal division is still
not in place.
What
is the reason behind the minister's delay in setting up this appeal division,
which is essential to the implementation of an equitable process for all
individuals claiming refugee status?
[English]
Hon.
Judy Sgro (York West, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, we have a very fair process. There
are at least four avenues of review or appeal on every application. It is always
looked at with common sense, fairness and transparency.
Canadians
can be very proud of the system we have in place.
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