Feds need to step up
Re: We have a border issue, but no crisis, Andrew Coyne, July 17
Coyne, and even the opposition, have failed to put their finger on the crux of the problem with illegal crossers: years later most illegal crossers remain in Canada. That means that while about half are allowed to stay through the refugee process, the denied individuals remain.
When everyone who crosses illegally is effectively allowed to stay, our borders have no integrity. So what? Apart from how screwed up it is for Canada to not be able to control who comes into the country, we are set down a path of generations of “illegals” like in the U.S. who are not citizens, who will make their lives here, who will have children here, but who will be in a legal grey zone. That isn’t good for Canada, nor the would-be immigrants.
The way out is to keep the those that cross the border illegally in detention facilities, instead of the current catch and release system. These facilities should by all means be humane, well run facilities that give instruction to children and keep families together. They should be funded by the federal government, relieving provinces and municipalities from the financial burden the individuals otherwise impose. We did this with the MV Sun Sea.
If they are accepted, they are free to start their lives in Canada. If they are denied, they can be returned to their own country without going on the lam indefinitely within Canada. Hilda Ford, Vancouver