Greens Urge No to Bill C-49

OTTAWA -- The Green Party of Canada is urging MPs to reject Bill C-49, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code, in its current form.  This Bill proposes changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that centre on prohibiting human trafficking in Canada.  However, the Green Party notes that contrary to claims made by the government, the Bill does little to constrain the criminal activities of human smugglers and instead may penalize legitimate refugees.

“The Bill allows the federal government to designate ‘irregulars’, which carries the unacceptable risk of targeting those who seek and are entitled to Canada’s protection,” said Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader. “In addition, the Bill imposes minimum penalties in an attempt to prevent our courts from tailoring penalties to fit the crime; it grants the Minister wide and arbitrary discretion to detain individuals and then attempts to prevent independent and rational review. These are significant problems that demonstrate this Bill should not pass.”

A so-called irregular could be arbitrarily detained for up to a year while they wait to find out if they will be allowed into the country.  The Green Party is concerned that this Bill could impede legitimate refugee claims.  “Refugees are not criminals and should not be treated as such,” said May.

Another problem with the Bill are the retroactive provisions (Section 33.1) which authorize the Minister to impose sanctions on people who may have arrived in Canada as far back as March 2009.  “The Bill is clearly targeting refugees who are already in the country waiting to find out if they can become permanent residents.  Will they now be automatically detained if this Bill passes?” asked May.

“This Bill reveals a government trying to evade the  basic constitutional principle of the rule of law.  It must not be allowed to do so,” said May.

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Contact Information:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
Green Party of Canada
media@greenparty.ca
c: 613.240.8921
www.greenparty.ca