News

Trudeau’s Closing of Canada’s Borders to Asylum Seekers an Epic Fail

Published

1 year ago

2023-09-03

Geoff Brown

Trudeau's Closing of Canada's Borders to Asylum Seekers an Epic Fail

A deal Canada reached this year with the Biden administration to limit the flow of asylum seekers arriving from the United States appeared to be a swift success: within days, the number of persons captured at illegal border crossings had fallen to a trickle.

However, five months later, the overall number of people seeking refugee claims in Canada has increased rather than decreased. Many now travel by air, while others sneak across the border and hide until they can ask for asylum without fear of being deported, according to people who work with migrants.

The figures demonstrate how difficult it is for countries to turn away desperate people, as well as the issue that unexpected numbers of asylum seekers might pose: Hundreds of people in Toronto slept on the streets this summer because they couldn’t find a place to sleep.

“The basic reality is that closing a border does nothing to address the need for protection,” said Shauna Labman, an associate professor and acting head of the University of Winnipeg’s Human Rights Program. “It only increases the desperation.”

Canada takes pride in welcoming immigrants and plans to bring in a record 500,000 new permanent residents by 2025 to address a severe labour shortfall. However, it has attempted to deter asylum seekers, primarily through an arrangement with the United States under which each country turns back asylum claimants.

Nonetheless, over 39,000 asylum seekers entered Canada illegally last year, largely entering Quebec along a dirt route off Roxham Road in New York, prompting the province to protest that it couldn’t handle the influx. Asylum seekers are drawn to Canada because of its reputation for faster processing and increased acceptance of asylum petitions than the United States.

As a result, Canada and the United States modified their two-decade-old asylum-seeker arrangement, the Safe Third Country Agreement, in March. The deal now applies to the whole 4,000-mile land border between the two countries, rather than only at points of entry.

The enlarged pact resulted in a remarkable decrease in the number of persons intercepted at irregular crossings, from 4,173 in March to double digits from April to July.

However, the aggregate number of asylum seekers entering Canada has increased. According to figures from the immigration, refugees, and citizenship department, the overall number of refugee claims filed in Canada increased to 12,010 in July, the highest monthly total since at least January 2017, and up from 10,120 in March.

Canada Refugee Claims at Airports

According to government of Canada data, some of the increased numbers are due to an increase in the number of people submitting refugee claims at airports or local immigration department offices, frequently days, weeks, or months after arriving in the nation.

People applying at airports accounted for over one-third of all refugee applications in July, up from about 16% in March. Those filing claims at immigration offices accounted for almost 54% of the total in July, up from approximately a third in March. Mexico, Haiti, Turkey, Colombia, and India were the top five claimant countries in the first half of the year, albeit these figures include those who applied prior to the extended US accord.

According to some migratory experts, at least part of the reason for the latest exodus is that Canada is among a diminishing handful of nations viewed as providing safe harbour as the strains of war, climate change, and human rights violations force an increasing number to flee.

The European Union, for example, has implemented an asylum seeker deal that allows governments to return some migrants more promptly. The British government is pressing for legislation that will make it easier to return asylum seekers to Rwanda, while US President Joe Biden’s administration has proposed legislation that will make it more difficult for migrants to obtain refuge if they enter the country unlawfully.

“If you’re trying to make this set of decisions, Canada becomes a more likely option,” said Craig Damian Smith, a research affiliate at York University’s Centre for Refugee Studies.

“The world is facing unprecedented flows of migrants and refugees, and Canada is not immune to these trends,” said Remi Lariviere, a department official.

According to Lariviere, Canada revised the agreement with the US to handle “irregular” crossings, and the extension “does not mean that claims for asylum will not be made in Canada at all.”

Smugglers Hiding Asylum Seekers

According to those who work with migrants, some of those filing claims days or weeks after arriving in Canada are hoping to avoid a clause in the expanded agreement with the US that states that any asylum seeker apprehended within two weeks of crossing the border will be turned back unless they meet a narrow exemption.

This has prompted some to sneak over secretly, often with the assistance of a smuggler, and hide until the two-week deadline expires.

The Refugee Centre in Montreal claims to have assisted four families in one day last week who had been hiding for a fortnight after entering into the nation overland.

“Unfortunately, this is not a very safe avenue for them,” Reuters’ Executive Director Abdulla Daoud said. “It encourages bad actors to take advantage of these people.”

Assistance of Smugglers

According to Executive Director Loly Rico of the FCJ Refugee Centre in Toronto, between 20% to 30% of recent arrivals indicate they came into Canada undetected and hid with the assistance of a smuggler.

Reuters met with ten persons seeking refugee status who landed in Toronto, Canada’s largest city, recently. They came from all over the world, including Sudan, Uganda, and Mexico. All arrived by plane and had legal visas. Some applied for asylum days or weeks after arriving.

Though they went for causes ranging from domestic violence to war, Canada’s reputation for upholding human rights and providing refuge was a common pull for all.

“It was the first country that came to mind,” Hana Bakhit explained. The 35-year-old Sudanese woman claims she applied for a visiting visa in May, came to Canada in July, and submitted a refugee claim two weeks later.

She has been sleeping in a mosque and a church, calling Toronto’s central shelter every day for a room only to be told that none are available. Nonetheless, she feels herself fortunate to live in Canada.

With Canada’s land border more restricted, the asylum system now favours persons like Bakhit who can obtain a visa and a plane ticket, according to refugee lawyer Maureen Silcoff. “Some of the most vulnerable people remain barred from accessing Canada’s system, and I think we have to reflect on the inequity of that development,” Silcoff said.

Grace Nanziri, 42, was among those who had the relative advantage of being able to obtain a visa and a flight ticket: she sought for a Canadian visitor’s visa after her LGBTQ activism made her a target in her home nation of Uganda.

She flew to Toronto in August after waiting a year for the visa, enticed by Canada’s reputation for human rights protection, she said.

News

Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

Published

1 day ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.

Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”

The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest.

The Prime Minister dances.

This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.

Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf

— Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.

On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”

Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.

Pro-Palestinian protests

Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.

Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.

Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.

On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

News

Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla

Published

1 day ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

The zookeeper's negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla

The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.

The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.

The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.

“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”

According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.

Calgary Zoo Questioned

It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.

An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.

Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.

“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.

The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.

“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.

“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.

While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”

Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.

The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.

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News

Canada’s Lotto Max Jackpot Climbs to $80M

Published

1 day ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Lotto Max in Canada has reached $80 million for only the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75 million pool, but the top reward remained unclaimed as of Saturday, increasing the jackpot.

Only once did the jackpot reach $80 million in September, when it broke the previous record. Before that, the prize was $75 million, a record.

The Lotto Max prize maximum was boosted earlier this year, enabling for jackpots of more than $70 million. The cap is now at $80 million.
While a greater fee may encourage more people to play, the odds of winning the lottery remain extremely low.

According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the odds for a $5 ticket are around one in 33,294,800.

While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six of the seven winning numbers, plus a bonus, earning them a payout of more than $320,000.

Lotto Max History

Lotto Max is one of three national lottery games in Canada, overseen by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game was introduced on September 19, 2009, and its inaugural draw occurred on September 25, 2009. It replaced Lotto Super 7.

The odds of winning the Lotto Max are 1 in 33,294,800. This is correct to a point but misleading.

Let’s have a look at the rules:

Players choose 7 numbers out of 50
Numbers cannot be repeated
Numbers are automatically sorted into ascending order
Each play buys 3 lines
Each play costs $5

Seeing that players choose 7 out of 50 non-repeating numbers, the equation for the total number of possible combinations (this is different from permutations where the order in which the numbers appear is significant) when playing the Lotto Max is 50! / (7! x 43!)