Michelle Rempel and Tony Clement, Two Conservative MPs are calling on the federal government to act to stop the flow of people illegally crossing the United States border into Canada.
Tory MP Tony Clement said the illegal crossings are unsafe and place a burden on local law enforcement.
Illegal crossings are unsafe and a burden on local communities. Our laws should be enforced. @MichelleRempel
— The Hon. Tony Clement (@TonyclementCPC) February 19, 2017
Tory MP Michelle Rempel called on the government to come up with a plan and “if necessary, strengthen our laws to stop” the influx of asylum seekers.
There are proper channels to enter Canada. Illegally crossing the border is unsafe. https://t.co/XbeXJO3bas
— Michelle Rempel Garner (@MichelleRempel) February 19, 2017
Michelle Rempel also tweeted that the government should send a message to those considering crossing illegally that there are proper channels to ask for refugee status.
Tory MP Ted Falk, the MP for Provencher which includes the town of Emerson, says the Liberal government needs to close the loophole in the agreement that allows the refugees to claim status.
“These migrants are being coached to purposefully avoid border crossings and are taking advantage of a loophole in the existing law,” Falk wrote in a statement on his website.
The tactic is a way to avoid the Safe Third Country Agreement, which prevents most people who’ve been living in the US from making a refugee claim at an official border crossing on the premise they’re already somewhere safe. But they are allowed to claim refugee status if they are already in Canada rather than at a border crossing.
Agencies/Canadajournal