News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PM reiterates commitment to crack down on human smugglers who abuse Canada's generous immigration system

February 21, 2011
Vancouver, British Columbia

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today toured the MV Ocean Lady, the migrant vessel which federal authorities intercepted in October 2009 after it illegally brought 76 Tamil migrants from Sri Lanka to Canadian waters.

"While our Government continues to encourage legitimate immigration by those who play by the rules, we are cracking down on illegal human smuggling," said Prime Minister Harper. "With the Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada's Immigration System Act, our Government is sending a clear message that we will not tolerate the abuse of our generous immigration system."

The arrival of migrants aboard both the MV Ocean Lady in 2009 and the MV Sun Sea in August 2010 demanded action to deter such arrivals.

Swift measures have been taken by our Government including:

• Introducing Bill C-49, the Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada's Immigration System Act, in October 2010 to prevent human smugglers from abusing Canada's immigration system and to crack down on human smuggling operations used to jump the queue. The bill is currently at Second Reading in the House of Commons.
  
  
• Appointing a Special Advisor on Human Smuggling and Illegal Migration in October 2010 to address the issue.
  
  
• Holding roundtable meetings with Canadians between October 2010 and January 2011 in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver to discuss the Act with Canadians and get a better understanding of their views.
  
  
• Further strengthening cooperation with international partners on combating human smuggling.

"We must maintain the integrity of our immigration system," added Prime Minister Harper. "Legal immigration will ensure that Canada has the labour supply it needs to continue our recovery from the global economic recession."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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