OTTAWA - Canada isn't a haven for illegal immigrants, the immigration minister says following a thwarted case of "people-smuggling" on the West Coast last week.

Lucienne Robillard said "people-smuggling" is an international problem and that there is very little Canada can do alone to fight the crime.

The minister was reacting to a warning from an RCMP official not to allow 123 would-be Chinese immigrants to stay here.

The Chinese were picked up in a dilapidated boat off the West Coast last week.

Staff Sgt. Glen Rockwell said allowing the group to stay would encourage others to do the same.