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Friday April 14 7:08 AM ET
By David Ljunggren
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Immigration Minister Elinor Caplan sets off for Australia and China Saturday for top-level talks on how to prevent illegal Chinese migrants flocking to Canada.
Last year some 600 illegal immigrants from Fujian province arrived on Canada's western coast on rusting, leaky ships and immediately sought refugee status. Some of them said they had promised the people-smugglers -- known as ``snakeheads'' -- up to $60,000 each for their passage.
During Caplan's nine-day stay in China, which starts on April 20, she will visit Fujian in a bid to persuade people there not to listen to the promises of the snakeheads.
``I'll try and get the message to young people in those towns who are being lied to and cheated by the snakeheads, to let them know the truth,'' Caplan told Reuters.
``I'll try to let them know what the snakeheads have in store for them, which is a life of misery and exploitation in sex or drugs trades. It's a life akin to modern slavery.''
Caplan said she would stress the dangerous conditions on board the ships and the fact that any illegal immigrant arriving in Canada would be arrested.
``It's important for them to hear from me what the truth is,'' said Caplan, who has met some of the Chinese migrants who were arrested in Canada last year. ``I feel an obligation to try to warn others not to make the same mistake.''
Last August she vowed to deport any illegal immigrants whose bid for refugee status had been rejected but very few have been sent back, partly because Canadian immigration law allows initial rejections to be appealed.
Last week, Caplan introduced tough new legislation that aims to speed up the refugee determination process.
The Canadian minister will also visit Shanghai and Beijing for talks on how to tackle people-smuggling with China's foreign and public security ministers.
``I think it's a question of reinforcing (existing ties) by meeting and talking. I think it's really important to establish a good working co-operative relationship at the highest level,'' Caplan said.
``The truth is that I don't know enough about the differences in (the Chinese) approaches and laws. To go and to see and understand is a very important part of my responsibilities. It builds a relationship and it gives you a first-hand knowledge you just can't get out of a book.''
Caplan's first stop will be the Australian capital, Canberra, where she is due to hold talks with Australian Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock.
Over the last few months there has been a dramatic increase in the number of illegal immigrants -- many from China and the Middle East -- trying to reach Australia.
Canada, Australia, United States and Britain are currently discussing what can be done to combat illegal immigration.
``It's very important we collaborate and co-operate and share information and develop strategies that will deal with an issue which cannot be solved by any one country alone. That's the key,'' Caplan said. ``There must be international solutions to the issues facing us.''
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