QUESTION PERIOD — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Asylum Seekers
November 6, 2024
To the Government Representative in the Senate, The president-elect of the United States included in his campaign promises a pledge to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history. He has vowed to deploy the U.S. military and National Guard to round up and deport unauthorized migrants and to deport foreign students who take part in protests.
The last time this man held office, his policies led to tremendous pressures at the Canadian border as people attempted to claim asylum here. Can you tell me what plans the government has to ensure our borders are secure and at the same time to ensure legitimate asylum seekers are able to file claims and are not simply deported to the United States?
I am not in a position, as you would understand, to articulate Canadian plans.
I can say to the chamber — and I think the Prime Minister alluded to it recently — that for some months the government has, as any government in Canada would, been preparing different scenarios in anticipation of the outcome of the election, whatever that might be.
This government has a track record of working with both Democratic and Republican administrations and, indeed, has a track record of working with the United States and for Canadians during the first Trump presidency. I have every confidence that this government is developing appropriate plans and strategies to deal with the uncertain eventualities that will come our way to make sure that Canadian interests — whether it is our borders, our people or our economy — are well protected.
If we were to reach a point where the United States could truly no longer be considered a safe third country for asylum seekers, what impact would that have on our Safe Third Country Agreement? What protection would we have for refugees seeking asylum here?
It is a good question, Senator Simons. I’m not willing to speculate, and I am not able to provide any details on that except to say that this is, undoubtedly, one of a rather large set of issues that the government is, should be and will be addressing in its deliberations.
