Why Does “fairness, openness and flexibility” Mean Lower Immigration Standards, Mr. Coderre?
Note: There are two articles in this section both concerning immigration. The second, below, concerns U.S. links Toronto group to bin Laden: Runs Islamic youth camps.
OTTAWA (CP) - The federal government is easing the rules for immigrants to enter Canada, ending a long-standing grievance by thousands of applicants.
Well, now, isn't that just ducky? The immigration applicants are happy! What about what the rest of us think?
Immigration Minister Denis Coderre announced Thursday that a backlog of about 100,000 immigration applicants will be allowed to apply to Canada under an old set of rules that place fewer barriers to entry.
The minister is also lowering the grade level for assessing people who want to immigrate.
[. . . .]
A restrictive immigration law that came into effect in the spring of 2002 had required backlogged applicants to qualify under the new rules - even though they had originally applied before those rules came into force.
Coderre came under fire from immigration lawyers and a federal court judge, who said the grandfathering of the restrictive rules was unfair.
With regard to assessing immigrants, applicants will soon be required to pass a mark of 67 on a scale that measures language and skill levels. That's down from the pass mark of 75 set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
[. . . .]
Canada currently allows between 220,000 and 245,000 people to immigrate each year. New targets are expected in about a month.
My Commentary:
I am outraged by your immigration policies and the immigration and refugee boards that say yes to everything that manages to get here, whatever lies they tell and whatever their backgrounds. Naive fools!
Mr. Coderre, answer these questions.
***You lower the grade level for assessing people to attract “more skilled immigrants”?
***You lower the assessment pass mark from 75 to 67 to attract “more skilled immigrants”?
***Why do you bow to immigration lawyers, to a federal court judge (Who appointed him/her? JC?) and to potential immigrants who are trying to get into Canada – not to those of us who already live here and would like to see higher standards maintained and security risks kept out?
***Why do we need between 220,000 and 245,000 people to immigrate each year? Have you asked those already unemployed -- and qualified -- in this country whether they want them?
Now read the article below. Mr. Coderre, this is the kind of thing that has come to Canada. Are you proud? Do you understand the words QUALITY CONTROL? Or is that asking too much of a man whose only goal seems to be getting more immigrants in who will vote Liberal in gratitude?
U.S. links Toronto group to bin LadenRuns Islamic youth camps: Nephew Abdullah allegedly founded anti-Jewish assembly, by Stewart Bell, National Post, Sept. 19, 03
TORONTO - A Muslim youth organization that American counter-terrorism officials say was founded by Osama bin Laden's nephew has been operating in the Toronto area, the National Post has learned.
The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), established in the United States by Abdullah bin Laden, publishes literature promoting Islamic jihad and hatred of Jews, according to a senior investigator.
The Canadian branch, in Mississauga, operates under the supervision of the U.S. wing set up by Abdullah bin Laden, according to the group's own literature. Its headquarters is in Saudi Arabia.
In an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Virginia, David Kane, a senior special agent with the Department of Homeland Security, quoted provocative sections of books published by WAMY. One of the books said, "Teach our children to love taking revenge on the Jews and the oppressors, and teach them that our youngsters will liberate Palestine and al-Quds [Jerusalem] when they go back to Islam and make jihad for the sake of Allah."
Special Agent Kane said another book compiled and published by WAMY listed "Heroes of Palestine" who had been killed in attacks against Israelis, including a terrorist who hijacked a bus and drove it off a cliff, killing 14.
"The Jews are the enemies of the faithful, God and the angels," Special Agent Kane quoted another WAMY book, entitled A Handy Encyclopedia of Contemporary Religions and Sects, as saying. "The Jews are humanity's enemies; they foment immorality in this world; The Jews are deceitful, they say something but mean the exact opposite."
WAMY Canada runs a series of Islamic camps and pilgrimages for youth.
[. . . .]
The WAMY Canada Web site has links to several organizations suspected of financing terror, including the Holy Land Foundation, Muslim World League and International Islamic Relief Organization.
[. . . .]
According to the WAMY-Canada Internet site: "The World Assembly of Muslim Youth is an international Islamic organization. The headquarters is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It has many branches all over the world. The Canadian office is supervised by the USA office in Washington D.C."
Update Sept. 20: The Star Welcomes The Lowering of Standards for Foreign-trained Workers
Census figures show the necessity of a steady influx of new Canadians. Our birth rate is falling and our population is aging. Without a large supply of foreign-trained workers, this country will face skill shortages. Employers will go begging for people to fill vacant jobs.
Easing the rules for immigrants, as Coderre is belatedly doing, should help lure the trained workers this country needs. They're not all members of the wealthy business class, but the people who will toil at unglamorous jobs to build a better life.
