Bibeau visits Lacolle refugee encampment
Federal International Development Minister Marie-claude Bibeau passed by the Saint-bernard-de-lacolle border crossing Tuesday morning to visit the temporary camp set up to accommodate Haitian asylum seekers from the United States, whose numbers have increased dramatically in recent weeks
"It's very impressive to see the facilities put in place by the different government departments and agencies and see how each is organized and has its responsibilities. Canada is a welcoming country. I am very proud of the teams on hand who are in full control of the situation. Canadians have nothing to fear from a safety standpoint, "the Comptonstanstead MP said.
The Saint-bernard-de-lacolle facility currently has 900 beds and this number is expected to rise to 1,200 over the next few days, she added.
"The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is taking the first step in ensuring the physical safety of Canadians as it intercepts border-crossers as soon as they arrive, identifies them, and searches them and their luggage,” she explained in a La Tribune interview. “They then carry out criminal history investigations to ensure there is no risk to either national security or Canadian citizens. The asylum process is initiated after an inquiry has been made by the immigration department,” emphasizing that the desire to improve economic situations is not a justifiable reason for seeking asylum.
"These people are being told to apply for a residence by some other means, for example as a student, as a foreign worker or, if they have family here, they can go there through sponsorship," Bibeau said.
During the night of Monday to Tuesday, nearly a hundred Haitians crossed the border at the Lacolle border.
Bibeau also warned about inaccurate information being dissimulated on social networks. “People need to know that only those who can demonstrate that their lives are in danger if they return to Haiti can be accepted as claimants. The others will have to return to their country at the end of the process in a few months." she said, adding that a period of about seven months can be expected between the time of the interview that takes place in the days following arrival in Canada by Haitian asylum seekers and the immigration authorities' final decision as to their admissibility.
“Canadian agencies and services are in discussions with their American counterparts to improve the situation. and communication efforts are being made so that nobody thinks that by crossing the Canadian border, bingo, they become Canadian," she said."the balance between the safety of Canadians and the human integrity of those who have the right to protection must be maintained."
All asylum seekers must go through Montreal for their immigration interview. They could then end up in the Eastern Townships if an opportunity arises or if a family member is ready to welcome them. Those who meet the eligibility criteria could provide a good labor force for cities in full employment, "Bibeau concluded