Tamil migrants seek refugee in Canada

[Neil D]

Ok, Canadian cousins...How do you all feel about this?

The MV Sun Sea, carrying nearly 500 Tamil migrants, has docked at the Canadian naval base at Esquimalt, B.C.

Two naval tugboats ferried the 59-metre Thai-owned cargo ship into the base on Vancouver Island shortly before 6:30 a.m. PT Friday.

Dozens of border services officers waited on shore to meet the ship, whose 490 passengers are all seeking refugee protection in Canada.

The officers and other officials donned surgical masks and gloves before boarding the ship, in light of reports there may be passengers with infectious diseases on board. Some reports indicate several passengers may be infected with tuberculosis.

Officials erected large tarps to hide passengers from the media, as four buses and several ambulances waited to transport the ship's passengers to nearby hospitals and prisons.

They are believed to be Tamils from Sri Lanka, who left their homeland in May aboard the MV Sun Sea.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews stressed Thursday the migrants are not welcome and issued a warning:

"We want to send a very clear message that this type of activity — specifically human trafficking and human smuggling — [is] illegal, it's criminal and we will take the strongest steps possible in order to deter it."

Some of the migrants are believed to be members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which has been outlawed in Canada as a terrorist group since 2006.

Naval and RCMP officers boarded the ship on Thursday at approximately 9:30 p.m. ET, according to the Prime Minister's Office, in order to take control of it and steer it to Esquimalt.

Government sources told CBC News that the ship was first visually identified by military vessels at 2:30 p.m. ET and that the vessel entered Canadian territorial waters at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Toews said the best way to deal with migrant ships is to wait until they enter Canadian waters. "Intervening on the high seas brings certain legal obligations and a number of legal problems, and so it's better to intercept them, I'm advised, inside of Canadian territorial waters."

The passengers would be "processed according to their claims" and that if the claims were found to be invalid they would "not be treated as refugees," he said.

Human smuggling a 'criminal activity'

Many on board are believed to have paid up to $50,000 each for the trip.

Sri Lanka's high commissioner to Canada, Chitranganee Wagiswara, said that money would go toward to the Tamil Tigers and chided the federal government for not turning the ship away altogether.

"Human smuggling is a criminal activity," he said.

Calling human smuggling "despicable," "dangerous" and "irresponsible," Gary Anandasangaree, general counsel for the Canadian Tamil Congress also said the government should distinguish between the ship's passengers.

"We're not saying every single person on the boat should be accepted carte blanche," Anandasangaree said. "Every single person should be assessed on their own merits and in accordance with Canada's laws and our international obligations."

The migrants are expected to be transported aboard four buses from the port at Esquimalt to various destinations, including Victoria General Hospital and the Wilkinson Road Jail in Victoria. One bus is expected to be transported aboard an early-morning ferry to Vancouver to take women and children to the B.C. Women's Hospital and Health Centre.

Staff at Victoria General Hospital have reportedly been advised that they might have to treat a large number of sick people when the ship arrives. The hospital's old emergency wing, which was recently closed after a renovation, has reportedly been reopened to treat the incoming migrants. The hospital has also brought in extra personnel to help treat the passengers.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbi...l#ixzz0wV0DRLOZ

[bonnie]

Ok, Canadian cousins...How do you all feel about this?

The MV Sun Sea, carrying nearly 500 Tamil migrants, has docked at the Canadian naval base at Esquimalt, B.C.

Two naval tugboats ferried the 59-metre Thai-owned cargo ship into the base on Vancouver Island shortly before 6:30 a.m. PT Friday.

Dozens of border services officers waited on shore to meet the ship, whose 490 passengers are all seeking refugee protection in Canada.

The officers and other officials donned surgical masks and gloves before boarding the ship, in light of reports there may be passengers with infectious diseases on board. Some reports indicate several passengers may be infected with tuberculosis.

Officials erected large tarps to hide passengers from the media, as four buses and several ambulances waited to transport the ship's passengers to nearby hospitals and prisons.

They are believed to be Tamils from Sri Lanka, who left their homeland in May aboard the MV Sun Sea.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews stressed Thursday the migrants are not welcome and issued a warning:

"We want to send a very clear message that this type of activity — specifically human trafficking and human smuggling — [is] illegal, it's criminal and we will take the strongest steps possible in order to deter it."

Some of the migrants are believed to be members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which has been outlawed in Canada as a terrorist group since 2006.

Naval and RCMP officers boarded the ship on Thursday at approximately 9:30 p.m. ET, according to the Prime Minister's Office, in order to take control of it and steer it to Esquimalt.

Government sources told CBC News that the ship was first visually identified by military vessels at 2:30 p.m. ET and that the vessel entered Canadian territorial waters at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Toews said the best way to deal with migrant ships is to wait until they enter Canadian waters. "Intervening on the high seas brings certain legal obligations and a number of legal problems, and so it's better to intercept them, I'm advised, inside of Canadian territorial waters."

The passengers would be "processed according to their claims" and that if the claims were found to be invalid they would "not be treated as refugees," he said.

Human smuggling a 'criminal activity'

Many on board are believed to have paid up to $50,000 each for the trip.

Sri Lanka's high commissioner to Canada, Chitranganee Wagiswara, said that money would go toward to the Tamil Tigers and chided the federal government for not turning the ship away altogether.

"Human smuggling is a criminal activity," he said.

Calling human smuggling "despicable," "dangerous" and "irresponsible," Gary Anandasangaree, general counsel for the Canadian Tamil Congress also said the government should distinguish between the ship's passengers.

"We're not saying every single person on the boat should be accepted carte blanche," Anandasangaree said. "Every single person should be assessed on their own merits and in accordance with Canada's laws and our international obligations."

The migrants are expected to be transported aboard four buses from the port at Esquimalt to various destinations, including Victoria General Hospital and the Wilkinson Road Jail in Victoria. One bus is expected to be transported aboard an early-morning ferry to Vancouver to take women and children to the B.C. Women's Hospital and Health Centre.

Staff at Victoria General Hospital have reportedly been advised that they might have to treat a large number of sick people when the ship arrives. The hospital's old emergency wing, which was recently closed after a renovation, has reportedly been reopened to treat the incoming migrants. The hospital has also brought in extra personnel to help treat the passengers.

Isn't this the time for a sanctuary city?

Is someone on hand to reassure them they do not have to learn english unless they want to. Make sure they know a translator is standing by at 45.00 per hour on the canadian taxpayer?

Even tho there may be a waiting list for medical procedures let them know it is there for them free of charge.

Set them up in subsidized housing,education for all their children etc.

This is christianity

[Stan]

What a great opportunity for the Church to minister to their needs, all we need to do is take action.

[bonnie]

What a great opportunity for the Church to minister to their needs, all we need to do is take action.

Great opportunity for the church,as long as they do not walk away after initial help.

A adventist family should sponsor one refugee.Helping them adapt,teaching them english,and help them to find employment.Also to be willing to take responsibility for one.

[phkrause]

Great opportunity for the church,as long as they do not walk away after initial help.

A adventist family should sponsor one refugee.Helping them adapt,teaching them english,and help them to find employment.Also to be willing to take responsibility for one.

[Gordon1]

Isn't this the time for a sanctuary city?

Is someone on hand to reassure them they do not have to learn english unless they want to. Make sure they know a translator is standing by at 45.00 per hour on the canadian taxpayer?

Even tho there may be a waiting list for medical procedures let them know it is there for them free of charge.

Set them up in subsidized housing,education for all their children etc.

This is christianity

Hi Bonnie,

While calling this christianity, you've also invoked the taxpayer dollar.

Are you appealing to a church effort or a government response?

As you may know, Canada has exercised a very open immigration policy for decades, refugee or not. Many thousands (it could be millions) have come to Canada to obtain citizenship. (Be a permanent resident for 3 out of 4 years - pretty simple). It only takes a short period to be eligible for free govt services, usually immediate for refugees. Many have established themselves (and sponsor more family to come), many others have returned to their homeland with their Canadian papers. If trouble ever sparks in the homeland, there is Canadian consulate protection and of course a permanent home in Canada with free medicare for life. (Yes such an immigration policy had political and economic benefits, like workers for factories & fields, etc.)

So whatever spin the current govt. chooses to play with the Tamils, please be assured the Canadian taxpayer is the default provider in many thousands or millions of cases (both refugee and regular immigration).

However, the current Canadian government is strongly conservative with a solid core of Christian fundamentalist members in key positions, including Prime Minister, the Top Dog. As such their policies do not favour brown people with strange tongues and foreign Gods, especially those looking for help or handouts. Its pretty ironic, the more "Christian" a nation becomes, the less open to those in need.

In a large sense, Canada has been a 'sanctuary city' for decades. Citizenship, medicare, subsidized housing, education, university & business loans, all standard fare. It's the Canadian norm. The 'face' of Canadian cities shows this great demographic change over my lifetime.

Not sure what will happen in this case - could be a set-up to manipulate media/test public opinion. But what you've requested has long been the default policy of Liberal ("Democrat") governments in Canada. Now that the government is moving strongly right, many services to women, the poor, the native peoples, etc. have been cut.

So yes it's time for the Church (SDA) or true Christians to help those who need it. But calling on the government and church to work together as one (with the same interests) opens the door for church/state union.

Do you favour the union of Church & State?

And would you endorse the same government services for 500 Tamils who arrived unannounced in Minnesota?

[Gordon1]

P.S. - Canada has an established Tamil population (about 250,00) - mostly in the Greater Toronto Area, including hundreds of business owners. Montreal too has a strong community - I recall their shock & grief in the aftermath of the Asian Tsunami. New migrants are not without resources among their own people.

[bonnie]

Hi Bonnie,

While calling this christianity, you've also invoked the taxpayer dollar.

[bonnie]

P.S. - Canada has an established Tamil population (about 250,00) - mostly in the Greater Toronto Area, including hundreds of business owners. Montreal too has a strong community - I recall their shock & grief in the aftermath of the Asian Tsunami. New migrants are not without resources among their own people.

Then their own people should step up and sponsor them so the burden does not fall on the taxpayer that is not given a choice

[Gordon1]

You have misunderstood me. It is not government sponsorship, it is individual sponsorship I would like to see.

[bonnie]

Bonnie, sorry if I misunderstood, for I was reading from this line:

This is part of what is required to care for many of the immigrants.Instead of putting that on the backs of taxpayer's by force those advocating letting all in need to step up to the plate in a personal way.

Let the individual take 45.00 out of his personal finances for a translator when needed. Provide them with housing' date='either in his own home or provide him a dwelling place elsewhere.

Originally Posted By: bonnie

If you are not prepared to step forward and sponsor one immigrant family, preparing to care for them as you require the states to do, maybe it is time to be quiet about what others should do.

Quote:

Thanks for the advice bonnie. Nowhere did I urge state support for the refugees. The post was to lend a basic knowledge of Canadian immigration policy to those unfamiliar. It's typically very liberal, very generous.

The "you" was meant in a general sense. You meaning all those that want everyone else to welcome all refugees with open arms and taxpayer dollar.The US also has a very generous immigration policy,especially towards illegal immigrants.Mpsl and St. Paul are sanctuary cities.No one can be asked residence status

Quote:

Would you welcome 500 refugees in Minnesota?[/quote']

Depends on the circumstances.First and foremost if they are hungry,without clothing etc,that should be taken care of. For permanent stay in the US sponsors should step forward.Preferably first all those that label and condemn those that believe there should be limits,requirements etc.Those that believe there is a special place in hell "for cold hearted conservatives should be firt with open door and open wallet.

We have one of the largest communities of somalia's here.A good portion of those should not have been accepted.

There are those that flat out refuse to learn english so obviously they don't work. Food,housing,medical and education is placed on the taxpayer.Gang members should be deported.

Or let the generous liberal step forward and take at least one family off the tax roles

[Stan]

and I quote

Quote:

Canada is obliged to not return people to their home country if they face persecution there under an agreement signed in 1969 that's set out in the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol. The decision came in the aftermath of the Second World War, a result of the consequences faced by thousands of Jewish people who tried to flee Germany but were refused entry by other countries.

[Stan]

Is Minnesota growing? Are the kids staying there? Anyone else immigrating there from other states?

Wondering if they are looking at this as an investment, as they will end up buying homes, cars, food etc after the family gets established...

Just wondering.

[Stan]

Canada could have 500,000,000 immigrants and still have plenty of room for golf courses, or hockey.

The GNP still continues to grow and did not have the financial trauma that some countries had.

[bonnie]

Canada could have 500,000,000 immigrants and still have plenty of room for golf courses, or hockey.

The GNP still continues to grow and did not have the financial trauma that some countries had.

You would be hard pressed to find anywhere I have said or indicated the US should not welcome immigrants.

If Canada can have that many immigrants and care for many of them

more power to Canada.

Cnada should be opening the doors wide and encouraging all to come to them

[bonnie]

Is Minnesota growing? Are the kids staying there? Anyone else immigrating there from other states?

Wondering if they are looking at this as an investment, as they will end up buying homes, cars, food etc after the family gets established...

Just wondering.

I have no idea how many hardworking families come to MN from other states.

Many on welfare do because of very generous welfare benefits that we simply cannot afford.

For a time that slacked off but now that the welfare to work requirement has been ordered stopped by Obama they seem to find their way here.

I would imagine a lot of the kids do stay here. It is hard to look at a large number of immigrants that do not work as an investment.

We moved to this town in "98. The population was around 6,000

It is now at 10,000.

Many immigrants have moved here. Many of them would be an asset wherever they lived.In the large field behind our house over 400 homes were built.Many nationalities are represented.

They work hard,take care of their families and their homes. They are an investment.

2 blocks north and 2 blocks east of me we have the other story. A trailer park that has many immigrants,legal and illegal. They have no intention of taking advantage of the tools being offered free to them.A short walk to the library and they can learn english,get their GED and a start.

Why should they. Regardless of what we think of their living conditions it is lavish compared to what they left.Their food is assured as is shelter and medical.They want nothing from us except to have their needs provided for.

Many from the local churches have tried to befriend and help them to a better life. There is no reason they should.

You can walk past there in the evening and their children are urinating in the streets. If the children don't like the way you look they will curse a blue streak while mom and dad sit outside and smile.Funny they cannot speak english but know more curse words than I have ever heard.Parents have one english word down pat.DISCRIMINATION.

They are not an investment but a drain on MN finances as long as they remain.I doubt if they are leaving soon when they have a sure thing here.

Just so you have it clear.Legal immigrants should be welcome. They should be helped initially in language and the american culture. As soon as possible every attempt should be made to find employment. If they can sustain their families without working or taxpayer funding Great,I don't care if they ever speak a word of english.

Those fleeing persecution should be offered sanctuary.Same terms as for legal immigrants.

Illegal or legal immigrants that refuse to accept the help to better themselves and live of others should be sent back immediately,or possibly Canada.

Mn is having a little cash flow problem