Birth tourism an abuse

Canada is a very inclusive, welcoming, compassionate and generous country. Unfortunately, our generosity is often abused. For example, birth tourism is a major concern, especially in communities like Richmond.

Richmond East-Queensborough MLA Jas Johal has raised this issue, which goes beyond party lines. Canadians should be concerned when our lenient laws, hospitality and compassion are not only misused but also abused by unscrupulous people.

A recent report by the Institute for Public Policy states that 1,500 to 2,000 children are born in Canada yearly to foreign mothers who have no status in the country. They come to Canada just to give birth to their children, who automatically become Canadians. It is encouraging to see not only our MLAs but also MPs raise this issue. Hopefully, our lawmakers will take appropriate measures to stop this abuse of Canadian hospitality.

— Balwant Sanghera, Richmond