May to Force Votes on Bill C-31 Amendments:
Kenney Modifications Appreciated, but Charter/Humanitarian Issues Still Hold

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, MP Saanich-Gulf Islands, will force Standing Votes on her nine amendments to Bill C-31, the so-called Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act, with the support of the Liberal Party.

“While I appreciate Immigration Minister Kenney’s modifications to the Bill, it still violates our long-standing commitments to protect refugees, as well as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and our international human rights obligations.”

Bill C-31 will still see men, women, and children over 16 whose arrival to Canada is “irregular” interned for up to a year at great expense to taxpayers.

“The proposed changes under Bill C-31 have been implemented in several countries and failed to deter irregular entry,” May noted. “I know Canadians would like me to fight for their values and principles and amend this costly, inefficient, and draconian legislation.”