Taxing our patience

Re: Liberal wishes versus facts; Migrant report shows system is not working; John Ivison, Nov. 30

It’s not surprising that nearly three quarters of Canadians, as determined by a recent Pew survey, support taking in refugees — generally those fleeing countries ravaged by war.

We who live in freedom and security can and do sympathize with those living in countries where there is an immediate threat of violence. Those who simply wish to immigrate to Canada are quite another matter. We have a process.

These individuals apply for and receive permission before they come (as our laws require) and they too are welcome.

Immigrants cannot be welcome when, under the guise of seeking refugee status, they choose to “invade” our country through our apparently porous border with the United States.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) has filed a report estimating that each migrant claiming refugee status is costing the country about $15,000 and soon to be more, the total exceeding $367 million. Against this background, our government is claiming the process is working and our PM thinks we should sign on to a Un-sponsored resolution supporting migrant rights.

Surely he should be addressing our own border issue, which is causing us all a serious financial burden, and not looking for another opportunity to be a world leader in aspirational intentions that accomplish nothing.