According to a Border Services Agency memo between May 28 and September 16 they are moving border and customs agents out of Toronto and sending them to Montreal and Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle in Quebec because they’re expecting an influx of refugees crossing from the U.S. into Canada seeking asylum.
Apparently the “border agreement with the United States ..forces Canada to take in asylum seekers who cross between official ports of entry.”
The Safe Third Country Agreement requires both countries to refuse entry to asylum seekers who arrive at official border crossings, as both countries are considered safe for refugees. However, since the agreement applies only to people who arrive at official ports of entry, asylum seekers can avoid being turned away by crossing between border posts.
Copyright: ronniechua / 123RF Stock Photo
These cases have tripled, and Canada’s solution is to divert border personnel away from legal arrivals of tourists and businesspersons to handle the refugee cases.
Air Canada sent a memo to its pilots this month informing them that they may not be able to unload passengers on international and transborder flights because of these staff shortfalls. Pilots are to announce to passengers on arrival “customs is currently dealing with a staff shortage and the custom hall is at capacity. The GTA airport authority has therefore asked that we delay the fight and remain on board.”
I wonder if Canada has considered just building a wall? [Ducks.]
It’s still worth flying Air Canada out of Toronto in paid business class, though, for access to the Air Canada Signature Suite which is probably the best lounge in North America.
Just when you think things can’t get worse
Is Trudeau back from playing dress up with the fam in India? Eventually, the people of Canada will demand a leader who will make Canada great again.
I’m not sure I understand what the issue is with asylum seakers. If they are already in the US, why go further on to Canada? Why not just present their asylum case in the US?
@JC – I assume it’s because it would be more accurate to describe them as migrants instead of refugees.
@brian-I’m trying to remember when Canada was “great” the first time. It has always let the big guys do the heavy lifting from day one.
In any event, flying into Toronto’s Billy Bishop in-town airport is one way to avoid any immigration back-ups.
This is clearly political posturing. Why would Air Canada want to use its aircraft as holding pens, endangering their schedule and revenue? Dump the passengers and move on. Customs isn’t their responsibility.
@J.C. Because under the current political environment they feel safer in Canada?
i already do everything i can (e.g., connect) to arrive at Bishop rather than Pearson
@JC to be more specific these are people who are in the US under temporary status (for example, Haitians who had temporary residence visas in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake) and are about to lose such status (obviously much debate over whether this is appropriate or not). They are making a run for Canada in the hopes that they can avoid returning to their home countries. They are exceptionally unlikely to win refugee status in either country, but Canada treats them better while cases wind their way through the system over many years.
I find it difficult to believe that the US and Canadian governments couldn’t quickly close this loophole with an addendum to the STCA if Trudeau actually wanted to.
LOL – “I wonder if Canada has considered just building a wall? [Ducks.]”
Every country ought to have a border wall along every border. In the US, walls, or at least fences, ought to surround every state – with guards checking passports to be sure criminals aren’t crossing.
How else can we protect ourselves from each other? How else can we control the people? Think what an impact this would have on illegal drugs!
Perhaps it could even be extended to city control as well – fencing off every major city would prevent criminals from escaping.
We’ll get there – don’t you worry. We’ll get there.
Trudeau has no intention of stopping any of these “refugees” who are actually economic migrants who are awaiting deportation back out of the US in many cases (or have slipped through the cracks). Law abiding people seeking the proper course of entry are being penalized while these line jumpers get special treatment and housing. It’s a complete embarrassment. Trudeau is an utter moron and a complete puppet of the powers that run the Canada.
@JetAway, congrats. You have not only qualified yourself as a Troll, you have also publicly demonstrated a profound ignorance.
Refugees ARE legal arrivals under international law, Gary.
@Brian & @Andy & @Marvin: Thank you for the explanation.
Another question … Why aren’t refugees required to seek in asylum in the first country they enter after leaving their own country? It seems like cherry-picking which country to seek asylum in only paints them as economic migrants.
Wow, so many anti-immigrant trolls on this site. I’m out.