Elinor Caplan announces the new immigration policy

"I will not mince words. It is a tough bill," said Elinor Caplan, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Anyone caught smuggling people into the country, for example, could face a fine of up to $1 million and life in prison.

In addition to trying to curb human smuggling, Caplan said the government wants to make it harder for criminals to seek refugee status once they're in Canada.

Changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act proposed on Thursday include:

• security screenings of all claimants
• clarified grounds for detention
• fewer appeals for serious criminals
• suspension of claims for those charged with crimes until the courts make their decision

In addition to stiffer penalties for trying to sneak people into the country, the legislation provides a faster and fairer way of determining who's eligible for refugee status, Caplan said.

"Closing the back door to those who would abuse the system allows us to ensure that the front door will remain open," the minister argued.

With Canada's aging population and declining birth rates, Caplan predicted immigration will remain a key part of the country's future.

She said new immigration policies would help to:

• improve Canada's ability to attract skilled workers
• help reunite immigrating families more quickly and efficiently
• reiterate Canada's position as a safe haven for refugees.

The original act has been in place since 1976.

Leon Benoit, Opposition immigration critic

Leon Benoit, Opposition immigration critic for the Canadian Alliance, said Caplan is saying the right things but questions if the reality is in place in the new act.

He said stiffer fines and penalties for smugglers of humans look good on paper, but the reality is those who would face them are rarely caught.

Benoit also said Caplan's claim illegal refugees will be processed more quickly is false. He doesn't see anything in the new act that would hasten the process. He said as long as appeals are allowed, there won't be any quicker decisions.

The UN's High Commissioner for Refugees said changes to the way Canada determines refugee status are long overdue.

But Judith Kumin, the commission's Canadian representative, said she's worried new barriers may be erected that would make it too difficult for some refugee claimants to enter the country.