WORLD NATIONAL SPORTS BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT
Chretien says law of the land stands
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Jean
Chretien and other Canadian officials are on a four-day visit
to Japan to promote bilateral trade and economic relations.
(AP/Katsumi Kasahara) |
TOKYO (CP) - Prime Minister Jean Chretien says he
doesn't intend to circumvent laws that guarantee migrants a fair
hearing. For the second time in a week, Chretien defended Canadian
law that guarantees refugee claimants a process to prove their
claim.
Chretien was responding on Saturday to a call from
Reform leader Preston Manning to suspend the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms to deal with Chinese migrants arriving in boats on the West
Coast.
At the end of a trade mission to Japan, Chretien
lashed out against the idea.
He suggested Manning was trying to score political points on the
backs of unfortunate people in an bad situation.
"When they come to Canada, they have the rights of any other
refugees, and if they don't qualify, the law of the land applies,"
he said.
"I will not suspend the Charter of Rights every time that we have
a problem in Canada."
Manning wants such claimants detained and a refugee hearing held
within days of their arrival.
He also wants those unsuccessful in their claims to be deported
immediately without appeal.
This summer, four ships carrying some 600 Chinese migrants have
washed up on the West Coast.
Many of the migrants have claimed refugee status.
© The Canadian Press, 1999
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