Immigration

Year Published:  1977   First Published:  1977
Pages:  16pp  
Resource Type:  Article/Report/Letter
Cx Number:  CX306

Abstract:  This document begins with a brief outline of basic principles included in a report on the Immigration Debate which was presented by ICPOP to the Minister in 1975. It then goes on to outline in detail proposals for changes in Bill C-24, the Immigration Bill. The main concerns are with human rights and the policy underlying immigration policy as it is being proposed in Bill C-24. The proposals also give considerable attention to the reception of refugees, Contrary to Bill C-24, this document, supported by the United Nations Declaration of Human lights and the World Population Plan of Action, holds that voluntary international movement of individuals is a human right. Bill C-24 is based on the perception that immigration to Canada should be stringently controlled because there is a threat of over-population here. The problems with Bill C-24 assumes come from over-population (crowding, rural neglect, unemployment, housing shortages) actually, reveal the need not for a new social and economic order, not merely population control.
The document further states that the new Bill does not really provide for special handling of the growing numbers of refugees throughout the world who are fleeing brutality and oppression in their homelands. The proposed legislation places refugees under the obligation to meet the same standards for landing as other immigrants.
In addition, the Bill says nothing about the four issues which were raised in the Immigration Debate through briefs presented by ICPOP: 1) need for intensive training of immigration officers; 2) need for relocation of immigration offices abroad; 3) need to establish an independent Department of Immigration; 4) need to provide immediate temporary asylum for refugees.
Because of the way the document is written, it is almost essential to have a copy of Bill C-24 at hand for reference.

Subject Headings

• Immigration