Harper Government is Protecting Canadians from Foreign Criminals

CALGARY, May 15, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, Joan Crockatt, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, highlighted Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Steven Blaney's recent announcement on the introduction of legislation that will streamline the removal of foreign nationals who commit serious crimes in Canada, allow for the mandatory transfer of foreign criminals back to their country of origin, and render foreign criminals ineligible for a record of suspension. This will ensure more effective removals of foreign criminals from Canada.

The Removal of Serious Foreign Criminals Act introduced today builds on previous legislation that is part of our Government's plan to streamline the removal of foreign criminals and to protect Canadians by holding criminals accountable.

Quick Facts

Under this proposed legislation:

• It will be easier and faster to remove certain individuals who are inadmissible on serious grounds, including persons who were convicted of serious crimes in Canada.
• All foreign nationals and certain permanent residents convicted of serious crimes will be ineligible for a record suspension.
• The Correctional Service of Canada can inform registered victims of crime of the date and destination of criminals released from immigration detention.
• Canada would be able to transfer criminals without their consent, to serve their sentence in their home country, under the terms of future treaties.
• Refugees who are deemed to be a danger to the public in Canada will have their protected person status revoked when they are removed and will no longer benefit from Canada's protection.
• Protected persons will be able to voluntarily renounce their status if they want to leave, making their departure from Canada faster in certain cases.

This legislation builds on other measures the Harper Government has brought forward to tackle crime and remove foreign nationals who commit and are convicted of serious crimes in Canada, such as the Limiting Pardons for Serious Crimes Act and the Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act.

Quotes                                    

"Our Government will not allow Canada to be used as a safe haven for foreign criminals. By introducing the Removal of Serious Foreign Criminals Act, our Government is eliminating barriers to the removal of foreign criminals convicted of committing serious crimes in Canada. Also, by allowing the mandatory transfer of foreign criminals to serve the remainder of their sentence in their home country and with the other measures being brought forward today, our Government continues to keep our streets and communities safer for Canadian families."

– The Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"The Removal of Serious Foreign Criminals Act is another example of this Government's action towards tackling crime and standing up for victims. It addresses challenges that prevent us from effectively removing foreign criminals and certain permanent residents convicted of serious crimes in Canada. It would also allow the transfer of a foreign criminal with only Canada's consent and the consent of their country of origin so the foreign criminal would complete his or her sentence in their home country. These proposals will help keep Canadians safe."

– Joan Crockatt, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre

Related product

Backgrounder: Removal of Serious Foreign Criminals Act

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SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

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www.publicsafety.gc.ca