May 15, 2008

Minister Admits Immigration Measures Will Shut the Door on Immigrants

The Liberals once again attacked the proposed amendment to modernize the immigration system. This, after siding with the conservatives against the motion by New Democratic Party to reject budget implementation bill that contains the immigration changes.

OTTAWA – Citizenship and Immigration Minister Diane Finley has finally admitted that her proposed immigration measures are focused on reducing the number of immigrants who qualify to come to Canada, Liberal Citizenship and Immigration Critic Maurizio Bevilacqua said today.

"After months of claiming these measures are part of a plan to welcome more new Canadians, this Minister cannot reconcile that campaign of misinformation with her testimony before House of Commons Committees or her record," Mr. Bevilacqua said. "Every year since coming to power the Conservatives have reduced the number of permanent residents admitted to Canada."


That is in reaction to Hon. Diane Finley's testimonies before the House of Commons Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Tuesday, May 13, 2008.

While testifying before the House of Commons Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Tuesday, the Minister said, "In terms of dealing with the backlog, the first thing we have to do is limit the intake before we can reduce it."

The proposed amendments was introduced on March 14, 2008. The proposed changes, according to the Conservatives, would address the huge backlogs of applications that the Visa Offices currently have. However, government critics argue that it will be closing the door to immigrants.

References: Liberal.ca