Canada faces prospect of illegal migrant surge: report
Backlash cited; Tensions elsewhere making country more attractive
By PETER O’NEIL, Canwest News service
Published in The Montreal Gazette, December 17, 2009
Pour la version française cliquez [ici]
A growing backlash against the millions of illegal migrants in Europe, and recession-related social tensions elsewhere in the world, could lead to a surge in undocumented migrants entering Canada to take advantage of generous social programs and a “sympathetic” refugee processing system, according to an internal Canada Border Services Agency report. The report cites “increasing anti-immigrant sentiment” around the world and lists various “nationalist” and “protectionist” measures by countries like Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Spain and Italy to reduce immigration or drive out foreign workers competing for local jobs.
The report emphasizes Europe’s struggles with illegal migrants, but was written before recent controversial actions, such as France’s forced closure of a refugee camp in Calais and Switzerland’s referendum vote banning new construction of minarets – towers on mosques from which Muslims are called to prayer.
“The flow of African migrants to Europe is increasingly targeted by enforcement activity, and even those that successfully arrive are now unlikely to find the unlimited employment opportunities and freedom of movement that once were available,” said the intelligence report that circulated among CBSA and Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials in September.
“It is unlikely that these migrants are willing to return to their country of origin where conditions are markedly worse, recession or not. Alternative destinations, such as Canada, are likely considerations.”
The report, obtained through the Access to Information Act by immigration lawyer Richard Kurland, said there was no indication of a current surge to Canada – yet.
“In light of a lengthy global recession, Canada’s position in the global economy, its reputation for comprehensive social services and a sympathetic refugee claim process, will increasingly make Canada an attractive destination for displaced migrant workers and irregular migrants leaving behind social and political conflicts.”
One of Europe’s most prominent immigration experts said the Canadian report is somewhat “alarmist,” given that the millions of migrants in Europe face powerful incentives to stay put – existing networks of family and friends – and huge barriers in trying to cross the Atlantic to get to Canada.
But Danny Sriskandarajah said Canada needs to be aware of crackdowns around the world that can influence the “unstoppable” torrent of migrants desperately trying to leave the world’s poorest regions.
“I don’t think Canadians should stay awake at night worrying about hordes of illegal immigrants,” said Sriskandarajah, director of the Royal Commonwealth Society in London.
“But on the other hand Canada quite sensibly needs to be aware of how other countries behave, because it may add to the pressures or interest in coming to Canada.”
A spokesman for Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, who has said he intends to revamp Canada’s refugee determination system, said the government believes Canada’s borders are vulnerable.
“We’re always concerned about the problem of irregular migration, people being drawn to Canada because of our overly generous asylum system and our generous social programs,” said Alykhan Velshi, Kenney’s spokesman.
But he agreed with experts contacted by Canwest News Service yesterday who said a surge of African migrant workers arriving from Europe is unlikely.
The vast majority of migrants in Europe don’t have European passports, making it impossible to board a flight to Canada without a tourist visa, he noted.
Source: The Montreal Gazette
