Jean Chretien and other Canadian officials are on a four-day visit to Japan to promote bilateral trade and economic relations. (AP/Katsumi Kasahara)

TOKYO (CP) - Prime Minister Jean Chretien says he doesn't intend to circumvent laws that guarantee migrants a fair hearing. For the second time in a week, Chretien defended Canadian law that guarantees refugee claimants a process to prove their claim.

Chretien was responding on Saturday to a call from Reform leader Preston Manning to suspend the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to deal with Chinese migrants arriving in boats on the West Coast.

At the end of a trade mission to Japan, Chretien lashed out against the idea.

He suggested Manning was trying to score political points on the backs of unfortunate people in an bad situation.

"When they come to Canada, they have the rights of any other refugees, and if they don't qualify, the law of the land applies," he said.

"I will not suspend the Charter of Rights every time that we have a problem in Canada."

Manning wants such claimants detained and a refugee hearing held within days of their arrival.

He also wants those unsuccessful in their claims to be deported immediately without appeal.

This summer, four ships carrying some 600 Chinese migrants have washed up on the West Coast.

Many of the migrants have claimed refugee status.