B’nai Brith Canada congratulates the Government of Canada on its proposed Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada’s Immigration System Act. The proposed bill recognizes human smuggling as a criminal activity which can carry linkages to organized criminal syndicates and banned terrorist organizations.
“We recognize that refugees need a safe haven. Our own Jewish community knows this all too well. We still recall the example of the 1939 MS St. Louis incident when refugees fleeing for their lives were denied entry into Canada”, said Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President of B’nai Brith Canada. “However, we also understand that today we live in a world where criminals and terror groups profit from the human misery they create, in order to fund illicit activities overseas. This reality must be put into the equation when striking a balance between protection of refugees and putting those that exploit them out of business.
“Public Safety Minister Vic Toews and Immigration and Citizenship Minister Jason Kenney took into account the views of the multicultural communities of Canada before drafting this bill, and B’nai Brith Canada was pleased to voice the opinions and concerns of the Jewish community on this issue.
“Canada cannot afford to be viewed as a friendly destination for international criminal and terrorist financing, and we are pleased that the government is sending that message.”
