VANCOUVER - In the wake of the boatloads of migrants who arrived off the coast of B.C. this summer, Immigration Minister Elinor Caplan has unveiled plans to toughen up the Immigration Act.

'...engage in illegal activity...'

She outlined her proposals in Vancouver Friday at a conference of immigration lawyers.

They include plans to get tough on criminals who smuggle human cargo -- by offering witness protection and landed immigrant status to those who turn in smugglers.

She's also considering harsher penalties for people smugglers.

Caplan says the laws have to keep up,"The new phenomenon of people smuggling and trafficking in human lives has resulted in people coming here and going underground...whose lives are exploited and often engage in illegal activity to pay off those huge debts."

Caplan says amendments to the Immigration Act could be coming early in the new year.