Categories: Polls

What do you think of the government’s handling of Tamil asylum-seekers in B.C.?

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by macleans.ca on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 5:09pm - 0 Comments

Tags: migrants, MV Sun Sea, Tamil

A_READER_

It is sad agreed, but do we take them all in?
Canada can't save the world, millions upon millions can't even get to a boat…what about them?
Do we go and get them all?
No matter how many?
You think this will be the only one if they are successful in their attempts to jump the que?
Australia sent them packing as they know who's in that boat…no condemnation of them on this board what-so-ever…but WE'RE the racist ones…sigh.
True_Srilankan

We should allow these people into Canada and verify their refugee claims on individual basis. It is true that government is spending the taxpayer's money. It is also spending the taxpayer's money on Afghan war and donating money to developing countries. If these people are true refugees, then they can work here and pay tax. In a way, they are going to pay back whatever Canadian government is spending money for them.

We have to think about why these people are coming to Canada.
They are coming here because of the racist Srilankan government killing innocent Tamil people in the name of Tamil tigers destroying their land and properties.
BobbyB

The question for this government is why do they not put an effort into processing people that want to come to Canada quicker. If people have to wait 2-3yrs for the paperwork/review then others will see this and not get into this legitimate queue and will start to try other avenues to get to Canada. Also, what is this government's stance on how Tamils are treated in their own country? It appears this government turns a blind eye to how these people are treated and hence these [eople leave by whatever means they can to get away from persecution and human rtights violations. Instead of this government condemning the people on the boat why don't they make some noise about why Tamils are opressed and why they feel they must leave their country and seak refugee status somewhere else! This government is so myopic and spiteful and hell bent on keeping the yellow alert to terrorists and crime at the forefront so they can fan their misguided view that we need more prisons and that we should all be in fear of terrorists attacks. That is something Dub-Yah did in the US and is exactly what this government is doing here in Canada to scare the electorate into a sense that we need tighter crime and punishment legislation! Thjis is not a government that shows leadership, they are no better than common fear mongers!
Guest

With 200 000 or so Tamils living in Toronto and many more in Vancouver, they could have legally sponsored their countrymen if the need to escape was so great. Unfortunately they would have been financially responsible for them. These shrewd people know how to play the system and get soft-headed Canadian saps to foot the bill instead. Our easy access system will eventually bankrupt us. Many other countries signed the 1968 refugee agreement but, unlike Canada, manage to escape being the destination of choice for traffickers.
Guest

Why spend billions of dollars on new jet fighters, when simply saying the magic word "refugee" will allow anyone to enter at will? We've been singing "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee" forever. I suggest we change the words because they no longer have any meaning. Besides, some of these groups may find the words offensive and appeal to a Human Rights Commission or launch a Charter complaint, at taxpayers expense. The irony is we are spending billions sending troops to Afghanistan to secure their borders, when ours are as porous as a dollar store sieve.

petitamore

I totally agree! We are standing on guard…yah right! We stand on guard at our waters and let em all in! I wonder if I can go visit Italy and claim I'm a refugee from Canada (lack of government support to its own Canadians-born n bred) when I get there…..Grazie Grazie!!

John Myles

The Tamils should be rerturned home. They have payed and bribed their way to Canada and it is wrong! It is tragic to be marked as victims for death but they should hop over to India and solve their own problems there.

Foreign people are as nice as ther next but governments have systems in place as all other countries do when it comes to illegal immigrants. Our trouble here in Canada is that we are spineless. Same too with our neighbours but the truth is there are powers behind the scenes who intimidate our politicians. Illuminati, Zionism. Hebrews are very audacious who smile in front of us and turn the other cheek later.It is a realization that I have recently discovered.
bobaloo

Tens of thousands of people go through the immigration process each year, doing it properly and awaiting their turn to reside here. Allowing a boat load of people to dictate their status in this country will only encourage more to follow. These boat rides are made on sub par vessels that are barely seaworthy and put each person on board's life at risk. The only people who will benefit from these people, are the smugglers taking their money.
kat

My association with "Tamil" is the Tamil Tigers, who recently lost a civil war. Are these those same guys? If so, it was Tamils who first (world debut) starting suicide bombings (strapping explosives to themselves and walking to the target). Hmmmm.

Perhaps, Canadian correspondents need to go check out how the situation is in Sri Lanka before accepting anyone.

Papuan people in Papua, Indonesia have had it REALLY bad since the Indonesian occupation started 40 odd years back (not allowed government jobs, rape, murder, loss of land), but few will ever make it over here because they can't afford to get on a boat (and they wouldn't be allowed to leave – the Indonesian government charges an exit tax far above they could afford – I know, I lived there).

WictorWictor

if only the tamil tigers had chosen a less memorable name, you would not be generalizing an entire ethnic minority based on the actions of individuals

Yvonne

As a Metis' person, I find this comment completely ignorant!! Only someone with no knowledge of what has gone on for the past century could say such a thing. Go back to school.
Both of my ancesters are worth honoring.
Yvonne

I think this could be a racist comment regarding whites! You obviously feel that we would take them if they were white! If this were true our country would appear predominantly white, which does not seem to be the case to me. If you watch CBC ads, they are filled with all colors, the least of which is white, if you walk down a city street, look around you, not so many whites! I do not favor any color as you will probably assume, I am just stating what I see, and that is "less whites", which is probably what you prefer.
I personally think we should only allow those who qualify to come to this country by going through the proper channels. If not then they could stay if they are cleared, but not allow them citizanship for 7 years. They also should prove that they can support themselves and not live off our very taxed welfare system. They should be expected to pay back any money given to them for assistance, and most of all they should speak or learn the english language!!! If they want to be here they must be willing to intagrate into our culture, not expect us to cow tow to theirs!!
Phil Miller

What if a much, much larger ship carrying 2,000 supposed 'refugees' came over? Then what? How would our system cope?

We line up at the bank, the grocery store and the gas station etc. It's how we all get along. Would-be newcomers to Canada can line up at the appropriate Canadian consulate in the home country.
Stan

The UN says Sri lanka is safe now and is returning refugees there so why are we still accepting them?
former liberal

It seems that a lot of the comments supporting the queue-jumpers really don't understand the difference between immigrant, refugee, and asymlum. But don't let ignorance of the facts interfere with having an opinion!

Dave

What does asymlum mean? How can we know what the difference is if we don't know what all the words mean?

Tuner

Jumping Que !! Should be sent back and wait in line..
Doowleb

The ship stopped in Taiwan on its way to Canada. The didn't ask for refugee status there. Fake refugees seeking a free Canadian lunch.
The Tamils have their own country now. They spent the last few years trying to take over Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka fought back against these terrorists. Toronto won't.
As usual, we are being played for suckers.
Oh well, welcome another ship full of Liberal voters to Canada.
sandra

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is at the heart of the problem. Everyone who gets into Canadian waters, automatically acquires the same rights as a Canadian.

Canada cannot legally deal with boats outside of Canadian waters. We can watch ships come toward us but we do so with our hands tied behind our backs. The moment people enter our waters they hit pay dirt! Right to claim asylum, access the justice system, legal aid, free medical care, dental, housing, welfare, education, move around freely (no one is checking), etc.
Many don't even show up for hearings. Only 10-11% are ever located and sent back.

Canada is the only Western country that does not have some form of pre-screening procedure to sort out obviously fraudulent and unfounded refugee claims. Nor do we know whether they are criminals or have intentions to use Canada as a base from which to organize. Without adequate documentation, we depend on their word. As a result, the refugee route has become the preferred means for those migrants who don't want to face the hurdles, cost and paperwork associated with the normal immigration process to enter Canada. Also we have the most generous benefits.

Germany also had the problem although their benefits weren't quite as generous as ours. In 1992 Germany had so many 'asylum seekers' that they were forced to change their Charter which they did the following year. Our Charter is in serious need of being amending too.

Canadians like to be thought of as generous but those paying taxes are being stretched to the limit. Canada is far more generous per capita than any other country, so we shouldn't feel badly about wanting to look after our own first eg those on surgical waiting lists, degradation of services through cutbacks and the lowering of qualifications in many service areas.
Vit

The first option is a silly question.
What more can this country do to be more compassionate, hold their hand while they sit on a toilet?

Can't believe that the people that went to school for a long time can't come up with sensible questions.
andrew

There is many times more Tamils in India's Tamil Nadu state than Canadians in Canada.
It is less than 300 km away from Sri Lanka. Only Canadians believe that they are persecuted in Sri Lanka.
They take advantage of naivety of our ruling class.
dailyrasp

Send them back soon. Do not let anymore ships land on the coast. Put a used out of commission oil drilling platform out in the Pacific call it Getout Island – use this as a staging area and detention for all suspect boats.
Todd

Well said, couln't agree more
Todd

How soon before they start getting a nice monthly government cheque?
I am sure they are getting prompt medical attention, likely better service than I or my family get and we have been paying taxes and lots of them for 30 years, the Canadian government needs to start looking after our own citizens who are down on their luck.
truthseeker

First of all, someone who is able to put $50,000 on the table for such a trip hardly qualifies as an economic refugee. Secondly, I highly doubt that, in a rather poor country, there could be such a large number of people who are able to come up with that kind of money unless, of course, they have a wealthy “supporter”. This then leads to the question who such a supporter might be and what his intentions are? The idea, suggesting that just because someone puts himself through a very unpleasant boat trip shows that they are true refugees, is rather blue-eyed. Terrorists who go through the gruesome task of preparing to blow themselves up are an example of what people will go through in order to reach their objective. My heart goes out to the many people who suffer imprisonment and torture or who, because of political and religious (mainly Christian) views, are forced to live in hiding. These people would hardly be able to come up with $50,000 in order to escape. Bottom line: True refugees, if not imprisoned, have long lost their jobs and barely survive in hiding. They would never be able to make it to Canada.
John

Ok. I dont think we need 'more' immigrants/migrants, whatever, coming to Canada…period. We continually give up our own rights so that these so called 'abused and mishandled' migrants jump to the front of our Legal system just so that they can collect a Welfare cheque and 100% Dental/Health Care. I did some Internet searching and not one inch of Sri Lanka is under war or oppression…not one! So it begs to ask the question: why are they here? Yeah, they had a war, so what, stay home and fight back their. And the only naysayers on here are the ones who can – and will – benefit from this!
mario

right on