Conservatives spreading fear

Immigration is a popular election issue and easily turned menacing with proclamations of mysterious predators crossing the border. Donald Trump uses this tactic to extort money for his border wall from a reluctant Congress.

Here in Canada, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer surprised many when he took up a particular cause that emerged from the far-right fringes; denouncing the UN’s Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

Trump refuses to sign it; and it is a particularly thorny issue for Dan Albas and his West Kelowna supporters.

If you read this document, it is not a legal treaty, it is purely a statement of principal; to reduce overall global immigration and discourage illegal immigration. It is a global framework to guide countries in meeting the rights of children and youth around the world fleeing to escape conflict, who with or without their parents are especially vulnerable to violence, sexual exploitation, social exclusion and discrimination.

It mandates keeping families together; training border police and social workers about children’s rights, ensuring children are provided with health care, nutrition, education and protection. It does not undermine national sovereignty.

Scheer claims, “the Compact gives influence over Canada’s immigration system to foreign entities.” He denounces the “crisis at our border” and “chaos at our border” caused by “illegal border crossing.” Suggesting chaos, danger and criminality are by-products of this document.

Former Conservative immigration