Shut down the pipeline

I'm not talking about oil and gas. I'm referring to the illegal smuggling of desperate and vulnerable human beings into our country.

The perpetrators of this high priced, high risk business operate sophisticated trap lines in foreign countries. They prey on people who are willing to come up with bags of cash in a deadly game of queue jumping.

Two of the more high profile incidents in the last year featured rust-buckets posing as ships unmercifully jammed with people fleeing Sri Lanka. The International Law of the Sea and our own Supreme Court make it illegal to turn back these ships.

Besides, nothing would stop the ruthless operators of these vessels from tossing passengers (including children) overboard if they felt their operation was at risk. So it was no easy task to come up with tougher laws to stem the rise of this human tide.

First, we took into account that Canada is already the most generous refugee and immigration nation in the world.

Second, we also realized that Sri Lanka was no longer classified as one of the torture capitals of the world.

Thirdly, allowing people to successfully get in illegally was making Canada an ever increasing target as a soft touch for smugglers.

And perhaps most disturbingly, as a result of the illegals, polling was beginning to show a significant drop in support from normally generous Canadians for any kind of immigration. So on Thursday we announced some changes to our laws.

Mandatory jail terms and huge financial penalties for the 'captains' and the planners of these pirate ventures. Detention in holding cells for up to a year or more for those who were told they would be free to roam our country while their refugee status is under appeal.

Previously, refugee claimants arriving illegally on these ships would eventually be able to claim 'permanent' resident status. This meant they were able to sponsor family members from other countries even before their own appeals had been finalized.

Under our new rules they will now have to wait five years before they can achieve that status.

We will also be more aggressive in the countries of origin of the smugglers themselves. We will bring pressure to bear on those governments to stop the smugglers before they can even set sail.

We will also will be taking steps to inform potential 'clients' in other countries that they shouldn't waste their time and hard earned money in a venture that now has limited chance of success.

At the same time, genuine refugees who really are fleeing for their lives from brutal regimes can still find asylum here.

As all this requires legislative action, it means we will need Liberal and NDP support in Parliament to make this happen.

I am hoping they will not try to play politics with a matter as serious as this. The lives of vulnerable people and the reputation of our immigration system are at stake here.

I will keep you informed.

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On another note, this week held a particular thrill for me. In Ottawa I went for an early morning run with Darrel, Terry Fox’s brother and top world amputee runner Rick Ball. These guys, true Canadian heroes, are dedicated to Terry's dream.

They also help others who have experienced personal catastrophes to realize that they too can achieve their dreams.

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This week had a sad note for many of us here in the constituency. The passing of Ev Doyle marked the end of a wonderful life.

Ev spent her lifelong energies in supporting her family, encouraging others, and improving her country.

Just hours after she died, her great-granddaughter was born. Ev's legacy will live on.

Rest in peace.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.