Little is achieved by ignoring the dismal situation at all divisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board: rock-bottom morale, underpaid bureaucrats, patronage appointees who know virtually nothing about immigration law etc. Refugees and their lawyers did not create this systemic problem - the government did (Order Out Of Chaos - Refugee Reform Makes Sense - March 31).
Canadians deserve a full, accurate story from all points of view: Stigmatizing immigrants, or their lawyers, does little to engage Canadians in a healthy, accurate conversation of how the system can be improved.
The government does a dismal job of educating Canadians about the distinction between "immigration" and "enforcement." I, for one, am all for strict enforcement measures for those who are not eligible to gain legal status here. But, don't forget, aside from the aboriginal and native peoples of Canada, we are all immigrants. Only our "dates of arrival" differ. And we better be very careful about the message we're now blasting worldwide.
Canada created this system, allowed it to flounder for decades, ignored it for decades, and now wakes up and poises itself to slam refugees and their advocates as the source of systemic problems, parading new proposals as "positive change."
I, too, want positive, intelligent change. But not within the realm of this same, tired rhetoric.
lawyer,