Immigration Minister Jason Kenny announces an legislation to speed up refugee claims at an Ottawa news conference on March 30, 2010.
Jason Kenney is the second most powerful Conservative politician in Canada. It says in these corners that he will either be the next Conservative Party leader or, if he chooses not to run, whoever he decides to support will be the prohibitive favourite.
While he isn't my kind of cat, he has done a quietly competent job as Immigration Minister. In a cabinet full of incompetents (with some notable exceptions like Stockwell Day), that sets him apart.
But on the off chance I needed a reminder why I am not a Conservative and never will be, comes his editorial board appearance with The Globe yesterday. Now of course I'm not his target audience, but nonetheless.
Kenney "wants provinces to review their welfare programs to address the possibility they are creating incentives for dubious refugee claims linked to criminal networks." Ah yes, the dubious canard that people are risking life and limb to get to Canada and then committing fraud on our system all for the princely sum $585 a month (in Ontario). Almost $7,000 a year is driving wealthy foreigners to a life of crime.
And his statistical evidence that welfare programs are driving bogus refugee claims? He doesn't have any - or at least didn't provide it to The Globe yesterday.
His anecdotal evidence? Why, he "cited a police investigation into allegations of human trafficking involving Hungarian asylum claimants in Hamilton, Ont."
Just to be clear, a criminal human trafficking racket smuggled people into Hamilton and Kenney thinks the biggest issue here is Ontario's welfare rates? Doesn't the term "human trafficking" suggest something else may be afoot?
So Kenney has neither objective, statistical evidence that this is a problem nor does he have any compelling anecdotal evidence its an issue. So what gives?
It's possible Kenney just had a sloppy editorial board interview - got a bit off message and then tried to walk it back. Who knows.
What I do know is that in the United States and in Europe, "getting tough" on "illegal immigrants" has become a core political tactic of right-wing political parties. Illegal immigrants want to go see a doctor? Hell no. They want to drive a car? Not in our country.
To be fair to Kenney, his approach to his file to date has been exactly the opposite of this tact. Whether this was motivated by political considerations (a desire to expand the Conservative voting base into new communities) or principle is largely irrelevant. It would be impossible to accuse Kenney of routinely mimicking immigration and refugee policies of his international conservative (and to be fair, in many cases non-conservative) brethren.
One of Canada's greatest strengths as we go forward is our ability to absorb large numbers of immigrants and refugees. It is a huge competitive advantage as compared to Europe or the United States. Yes, we need to improve both our immigration (in particular, immigrant success once they arrive) and refugee systems but boy, we are starting from a position of strength.
Turning either the refugee or immigration system into a divisive wedge issue would be a big step back in this regard. Kenney's welfare comments are a step in that direction and therefore let's hope that it's a one-time blip.