STRENGTHEN THE BORDER
Canadians have deservedly opened their arms to refugees seeking to build a better life in our country. Last year alone, the country welcomed approximately 40,000 Syrian refugees who are now segueing from federal government support to independence.
A worrisome trend, however, is the number of refugees crossing the border from the United States. What was once a trickle has grown to ever-increasing numbers of asylum seekers, stretching some communities’ abilities to respond to their needs and jeopardizing the integrity of our international border.
Canada should always be regarded as a haven for people who fear persecution, but the problem with a porous border is we have no idea how many people are crossing into our country or what their intensions are.
The trend has been fed, to great extent, by the election of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has made no secret of the fact he wants to tighten his country’s borders. Many people are fearful they may be pushed out of America, so they take the risk of walking across frozen fields in the middle of the night in hopes of finding refuge in Canada.
Regrettably, there are reports of profiteers taking advantage of the situation, charging what must be a fortune to drop off their vulnerable customers a short distance south of the Canadian border.
Our two countries share a pact called the Safe Third Country Agreement, which was negotiated after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Quite appropriately, it recognizes that refugees who have found their way to the United States have no reason to be coming to Canada, or vice versa.
A flaw in the wording of the agreement is that such provisions only apply at official land-border entry points, so if people find their way into the country by walking across a farmer’s field, there’s little that can be done.
Canada needs to extend its generosity when necessary, such as in the case of 1,200 Yazidi refugees who will make their way to our nation from Iraq over the next several months. Canada can’t be a free-for-all, however, where anyone with the determination and wherewithal to cross the border is sheltered and clothed while a painfully slow bureaucracy goes through the motions of determining the refugees’ merits.
Canadians often refer to their country as The True North, Strong and Free. Included in that inspiring sentiment is the notion of strength. A strong, reliable border that ensures the safety of Canadian citizens, while allowing those of actual need to help build our country, is essential.