Act to amend the Immigration Act, 1976 and the Criminal Code in consequence thereof, 21 July 1988
Annual Review of Population Law 15: 191
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0364-3417 PMID: 12289365 Document Number: 342528
This Act is designed "1) to preserve for persons in genuine need of protection access to the procedures for determining refugee claims; 2) to control widespread abuse of the procedures for determining refugee claims, particularly in light of organized incidents involving large-scale introduction of persons into Canada to take advantage of those procedures; 3) to deter those who assist in the illegal entry of persons into Canada and thereby minimize the exploitation of and risks to persons seeking to come to Canada; and 4) to respond to security concerns, including the fulfillment of Canada's obligations in respect of internationally protected persons." The Act contains provisions that 1) increase powers of authorities to detain persons considered to be "security risks;" 2) authorize for six months the relevant minister to turn back ships if the Minister believes on "reasonable grounds" that a ship is bringing in persons in violation of immigration legislation; 3) prohibit persons from organizing, inducing, aiding, or abetting illegal immigration, or from attempting to do so; 4) prohibit transportation companies from bringing persons into Canada without first ascertaining that they have a valid visa, passport, or travel document; and 5) facilitate the seizure of vehicles and evidence.