The mystery of the child
boat migrants WebPosted Thu Aug 19
22:41:25 1999
VICTORIA - Two mystery ships that
brought smuggled migrants from China to the shores of British
Columbia contained more than 50 children who were on board alone,
without parents or guardians.
As many as 50
unaccompanied children among illegal migrants
| The children and teenagers appeared
in a court in Victoria Thursday. They were in handcuffs, awaiting a
decision on whether they can be released.
The child migrants may be moved to group homes, eventually to
foster homes.
The cost per child has been estimated at $8,200 a month. British
Columbia is asking the federal government to pay for the care of the
children.
Lois Boone, minister of children and families for British
Columbia, can't understand why so many children would have made the
risky voyage. The youngest of the children is 11.
She has checked with other countries and has been told the number
of unescorted children illegally smuggled to Canada far surpasses
similar incidents in other countries. "It certainly causes a great
deal of concern," Boone said.
The first boat landed in Nootka Sound on July 20, with 17
unaccompanied teenage boys aged 14 to 18. The second boat stopped
near the Queen Charlotte Islands on Aug. 11. The passengers waded to
shore.
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