Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada-U. S. refugee pact remains in place for now

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Oct, 2020 05:57 PM
  • Canada-U. S. refugee pact remains in place for now

A judge says a refugee pact between Canada and the United States will remain in place until a full legal hearing of the measure is resolved.

In a new ruling, Federal Court of Appeal Justice David Stratas has sided with the Trudeau government in extending the life of the Safe Third Country Agreement.

Under the agreement, which took effect in 2004, Canada and the United States recognize each other as safe places to seek protection.

It means Canada can turn back potential refugees who arrive at land ports of entry on the basis they must pursue their claims in the U.S., the country where they first arrived.

A July ruling of the Federal Court struck down the agreement on constitutional grounds but left it in place until mid-January.

The federal government appealed the ruling and asked the Court of Appeal to extend the refugee agreement, arguing immigration delays and backlogs would otherwise happen.

Refugee claimants and their advocates said the idea the Canadian immigration system would be overwhelmed was based on speculation.

They said the contention ignored the reality that all travel, and therefore the number of refugee claims, had dropped dramatically because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stratas said the refugee advocates could apply to vary his order if there is a significant new development to consider.

The Court of Appeal is expected to hear full arguments in the first months of the new year on the constitutionality of the Safe Third Country Agreement.

MORE National ARTICLES

Tories seek to amend bill conversion therapy bill

Tories seek to amend bill conversion therapy bill
In signalling their intention on Monday to move an amendment to the proposed law, the party also showcased efforts to bridge the gap between their social conservative base and the more moderate MPs in caucus.

Tories seek to amend bill conversion therapy bill

Fraser Health reports two more COVID-19 outbreaks

Fraser Health reports two more COVID-19 outbreaks
The health authority says in a statement individual staff members at Amenida Seniors' Community in Surrey, B.C., and Agassiz Seniors' Community near Chilliwack have tested positive.

Fraser Health reports two more COVID-19 outbreaks

Nothing unusual in U.S. request over Meng: officer

Nothing unusual in U.S. request over Meng: officer
Const. Winston Yep is the first witness to give testimony in an evidentiary hearing for Meng Wanzhou, whose legal team hopes to gather evidence this week to support its claims her arrest was unlawful.

Nothing unusual in U.S. request over Meng: officer

WATCH: NDP is Back in BC | South Asian Leaders Elected in Key Metro Vancouver Ridings

WATCH: NDP is Back in BC | South Asian Leaders Elected in Key Metro Vancouver Ridings
WATCH: BC politics BCNDP’s historic win with Premier John Horgan becoming the first consecutive 2-term premier in party history.

WATCH: NDP is Back in BC | South Asian Leaders Elected in Key Metro Vancouver Ridings

Massive drug cooking operation found in B.C.

Massive drug cooking operation found in B.C.
RCMP say in a news release that officers with a search warrant entered a property in Lumby, in B.C.'s north Okanagan, and found a massive synthetic drug production operation.

Massive drug cooking operation found in B.C.

Unions call for end to outsourcing of DND services

Unions call for end to outsourcing of DND services
The Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Union of National Defence Employees say the government is spending far more than it would on those services had it done the work in-house.

Unions call for end to outsourcing of DND services