Ottawa's plan won't stop border runners
Strategy to arm guards at U.S. crossings is more costly than effective, critics say
JEFF SALLOT
From Friday's Globe and Mail - 2 February 2007
OTTAWA The Conservative government's $781-million plan to arm border guards will not stop motor vehicles from running the border, senior federal law-enforcement officials say.
About 600 cars, trucks or other vehicles barrelled straight through Canada's land-border posts last year as unarmed guards watched, Alain Jolicoeur, the president of the Canadian Border Services Agency, said yesterday.
The handguns that will be issued to border guards are simply for their personal safety, not to stop drug smugglers or other crooks from running the border, Mr. Jolicoeur and RCMP deputy commissioner Pierre-Yves Bourduas told the Commons public-safety committee.
The Conservatives' law-and-order platform in last year's election included a promise to arm border guards. But opposition MPs are using committee hearings to attack the plan.
Even some Conservative MPs say they are concerned about the cost.
About 150 vehicles ran the border at one particular crossing last year, Mr. Jolicoeur testified. Most of the other incidents were scattered among 18 different border posts.
The CBSA will try to plug these holes by installing new road separators and concrete barriers, Mr. Jolicoeur said.
Knowing that CBSA officers are armed might deter some would-be border runners, he said.
The deterrent value remains to be seen, Mr. Bourduas said. But both officials said border guards can't stop border runners with their handguns, and won't be expected to.
Border guards will still have to rely on the RCMP or local police forces for more robust backup if they get advance word that trouble is headed their way.
Unlike the U.S. Border Patrol, Canadian border guards operate only in the immediate vicinity of their posts. The RCMP or other local police will have to be called in to chase runners, they said.
Several opposition MPs said they see no point in arming the border guards. Liberal Sue Barnes, who as a student once worked as a border guard, asked: "What difference will having a gun mean for trying to stop someone from running the port?"
Raymond Chan, another Liberal MP, said: "I look at the cost of implementing this and it's like killing a fly with a sledgehammer."
Conservative MP Dave MacKenzie said the safety of the border officers is the primary consideration, but he, too, has questions about costs.
Law-enforcement recruits can get a 12-week firearms training course at the Ontario Police College for about $7,500. But using CBSA figures, Mr. MacKenzie estimated that it will cost about $100,000 to train and arm each border guard.
Mr. Jolicoeur said the CBSA cost estimates are for a 10-year period and include startup costs. He said the agency has a 12-per-cent turnover of border guards each year, and a considerable number of new recruits are always in need of training.
He said that most border guards are convinced they need firearms for their own safety. But another CBSA witness, Barbara Hébert, vice-president for operations, said she knows of no border officers killed on duty in the past 15 years.
Unionized guards have formally complained of unsafe conditions at border points 44 times between May of 2005 and the end of last year, said Fulvio Fracassi, the government's director-general for national labour operations. Health-and-safety inspectors concluded that in all but two of those cases there was no danger.
Several of the union's safety complaints have produced temporary walkouts and lineups at the border.
Showing posts with label Solidarity Across Borders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Solidarity Across Borders. Show all posts
Friday, February 2, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Letter to Immigration Minister
January 19, 2007
BY MAIL AND FAX
(3 pages including this page)
The Honourable Diane Finley,
MP for Haldimand--Norfolk and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1L1
FAX: (613) 996-9749
Dear Minister Finley --
We are writing you as Solidarity Across Borders, a Montreal-based network engaged in the struggle for justice and dignity of immigrants and refugees. We are comprised of migrants, immigrants, refugees and allies, and come together in support of our main demands: the regularization of all non-status people (Status for All!), an end to deportations and detentions, and the abolition of security certificates.
Some of us have direct experiences with the immigration and refugee system; some of us come from immigrant backgrounds; all of us organize as part of a collective struggle for justice and dignity. We have organized and campaigned together since 2003.
We have included with this letter a longer one-page description of our group, as well as a document that outlines our 12 principles for regularization that were passed at the Status Conference in Toronto in 2004.
We are writing you, as you begin your new job as Immigration Minister, to ask you for your clear position on our demands. We would like to know if you support our demands, and whether you will immediately implement a comprehensive, ongoing regularization program for all migrants, which you and your government have the power to do.
Moreover, we write to ask for a face-to-face meeting between you and our members, so that we can explain our demands to you in person, and so that you can hear directly from our members.
We are prepared to meet at whatever location is convenient to you (Montreal, Ottawa, or Simcoe). But, because of the urgency of ongoing deportations, detentions and security certificates, we ask that you meet with us before March 2007.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and the attached documents. We look forward to your reply, and to meeting with you face-to-face.
Sincerely,
The members of Solidarity Across Borders (Montreal)
BY MAIL AND FAX
(3 pages including this page)
The Honourable Diane Finley,
MP for Haldimand--Norfolk and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1L1
FAX: (613) 996-9749
Dear Minister Finley --
We are writing you as Solidarity Across Borders, a Montreal-based network engaged in the struggle for justice and dignity of immigrants and refugees. We are comprised of migrants, immigrants, refugees and allies, and come together in support of our main demands: the regularization of all non-status people (Status for All!), an end to deportations and detentions, and the abolition of security certificates.
Some of us have direct experiences with the immigration and refugee system; some of us come from immigrant backgrounds; all of us organize as part of a collective struggle for justice and dignity. We have organized and campaigned together since 2003.
We have included with this letter a longer one-page description of our group, as well as a document that outlines our 12 principles for regularization that were passed at the Status Conference in Toronto in 2004.
We are writing you, as you begin your new job as Immigration Minister, to ask you for your clear position on our demands. We would like to know if you support our demands, and whether you will immediately implement a comprehensive, ongoing regularization program for all migrants, which you and your government have the power to do.
Moreover, we write to ask for a face-to-face meeting between you and our members, so that we can explain our demands to you in person, and so that you can hear directly from our members.
We are prepared to meet at whatever location is convenient to you (Montreal, Ottawa, or Simcoe). But, because of the urgency of ongoing deportations, detentions and security certificates, we ask that you meet with us before March 2007.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and the attached documents. We look forward to your reply, and to meeting with you face-to-face.
Sincerely,
The members of Solidarity Across Borders (Montreal)
February 1: Popular Assembly: People's Commission on Immigration Security Measures
- Launch of Report and Follow-up Campaigns
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Thursday, 1 February, 2007, at 6:30pm
3300 Crémazie East (métro St-Michel)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The PEOPLE'S COMMISSION on Immigration "Security" Measures held public hearings in Montreal from April 21-23, 2006. The nine Commissioners heard testimony from thirty individuals on the abuses which immigrants and refugees face in Canada in the name of "national security"; including racial profiling, denial of fair trials, use of secret evidence, indefinite and arbitrary detentions, labelling, and deportations to torture. Measures such as the 'security certificate' have raised broad concerns about expanding government powers of surveillance and control advancing under cover of the "war on terror". To view photo-essay of public hearings: http://gallery.cmaq.net/peoplescommission.
The PEOPLE's COMMISSION was launched in the lead up to the Supreme Court hearing on the constitutionality of security certificates, by grassroots organisations, to provide an alternative, popular forum for our communities to consider these issues, as they affect us, from the starting point of our own experiences of security.
An Executive Summary was released in June 2006, containing the Commissioners' findings and recommendations in the following areas: (1) National security, equality and racial profiling, (2) Due process, (3) Detention, and (4) Deportation. The Executive Summary made recommendations for government and for popular action.
The complete report will be launched at a POPULAR ASSEMBLY on 1 February 2007 at 3300 Crémazie East (St. Michel metro). The Popular Assembly will organise follow up on the recommendations as part of our growing struggle against immigration security measures and expanding government powers.
If you wish to participate in any stage of the development of these popular education materials, please email: abolissons@gmail.com.
For more information: www.peoplescommission.ath.cx or 514.859.9023.
AGENDA
1-Introduction and overview of findings of the report. (20min.)
2-Updates (20 min total)
-Six nations land struggle
-Immigration regime
-Targetting of Muslim and Arab communities
-Specific cases:
· Sogi Bachan Singh
· Suleyman Goven
· Amparo Torres (TBC)
· Security Certificate detainees
3-Recommendations of the commission (20 min. total)
- Equality
- Due Process
- Detention
- Deportation and Torture
4-Break out groups (1.5 hours total)
-Popular education kit from Commission
-People's watchdog of CSIS
-Close Guantanamo north campaign
-Other suggestions
5-Round up of action points, point people, calendar of dates (25 min.)
6-Next assembly (launch of Pop Ed Kit in April) (5 min.)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Thursday, 1 February, 2007, at 6:30pm
3300 Crémazie East (métro St-Michel)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The PEOPLE'S COMMISSION on Immigration "Security" Measures held public hearings in Montreal from April 21-23, 2006. The nine Commissioners heard testimony from thirty individuals on the abuses which immigrants and refugees face in Canada in the name of "national security"; including racial profiling, denial of fair trials, use of secret evidence, indefinite and arbitrary detentions, labelling, and deportations to torture. Measures such as the 'security certificate' have raised broad concerns about expanding government powers of surveillance and control advancing under cover of the "war on terror". To view photo-essay of public hearings: http://gallery.cmaq.net/peoplescommission.
The PEOPLE's COMMISSION was launched in the lead up to the Supreme Court hearing on the constitutionality of security certificates, by grassroots organisations, to provide an alternative, popular forum for our communities to consider these issues, as they affect us, from the starting point of our own experiences of security.
An Executive Summary was released in June 2006, containing the Commissioners' findings and recommendations in the following areas: (1) National security, equality and racial profiling, (2) Due process, (3) Detention, and (4) Deportation. The Executive Summary made recommendations for government and for popular action.
The complete report will be launched at a POPULAR ASSEMBLY on 1 February 2007 at 3300 Crémazie East (St. Michel metro). The Popular Assembly will organise follow up on the recommendations as part of our growing struggle against immigration security measures and expanding government powers.
If you wish to participate in any stage of the development of these popular education materials, please email: abolissons@gmail.com.
For more information: www.peoplescommission.ath.cx or 514.859.9023.
AGENDA
1-Introduction and overview of findings of the report. (20min.)
2-Updates (20 min total)
-Six nations land struggle
-Immigration regime
-Targetting of Muslim and Arab communities
-Specific cases:
· Sogi Bachan Singh
· Suleyman Goven
· Amparo Torres (TBC)
· Security Certificate detainees
3-Recommendations of the commission (20 min. total)
- Equality
- Due Process
- Detention
- Deportation and Torture
4-Break out groups (1.5 hours total)
-Popular education kit from Commission
-People's watchdog of CSIS
-Close Guantanamo north campaign
-Other suggestions
5-Round up of action points, point people, calendar of dates (25 min.)
6-Next assembly (launch of Pop Ed Kit in April) (5 min.)
Friday, January 12, 2007
About Solidarity Across Borders
Solidarity Across Borders
NO TO DEPORTATIONS! NO TO DETENTIONS!
FOR THE ABOLITION OF SECURITY CERTIFICATES!
STATUS FOR ALL!
Solidarity Across Borders is a Montreal-based network engaged in the struggle for justice and dignity of immigrants and refugees. We are comprised of migrants, immigrants, refugees and allies, and come together in support of our main demands: the regularization of all non-status people (Status for All!), an end to deportations and detentions, and the abolition of security certificates.
Some of us have direct experiences with the immigration and refugee system; some of us come from immigrant backgrounds; all of us organize as part of a collective struggle for justice and dignity.
In the past several years, we have persistently campaigned for justice: we have organized pickets, demonstrations and actions; we have actively resisted deportations, and supported individuals and families who are confronting an unjust immigration system; we have organized cultural events, and produced newspapers and popular education materials; we have written hundreds of letters and collected thousands of signatures; we have intervened in the public debates on immigrant rights and also directly confronted the decision-makers responsible for removals and detentions.
We have successfully fought deportations and detentions, but have also seen our family members and friends permanently removed from our lives. We organize for all those who have been removed, extradited, detained, forced underground, forced into sanctuary or victimized by security certificates and secret trials. Inspired by those who have resisted deportations, we continue to mobilize for all who continue to fight against detentions, deportations and security certificates.
In June 2005 we marched for one-week from Montreal to Ottawa to demand a full and inclusive regularization program for all non-status people, based on twelve principles endorsed by the Solidarity Across Borders network and groups across Canada. In 2006, we helped organize the People’s Commission into Immigration “Security” Measures, as well as a National Day of Action demanding “Status for All!” in conjunction with allies in Vancouver and Toronto.
Solidarity Across Borders, an all-volunteer organization, formed in the summer of 2003, and was initiated by migrant rights groups in Montreal, in conjunction with their allies and supporters. We came together to build on ongoing grassroots efforts in Montreal, led and directed by migrant communities themselves. Solidarity Across Borders has grown and evolved to be a network of migrants and allies, working together on campaigns and actions. Our demands and day-to-day work are supported by many local immigrant rights and community groups.
We reject the divide and rule tactics of politicians, and the division between “good” and “bad” immigrants perpetuated by certain advocacy groups.
Instead of the fear and paranoia promoted by the government and its police agents, we organize to support each other, as part of a struggle for self-determination as migrants, supported by allies.
For us, there is no such thing as "illegal" human beings, only unjust laws and illegitimate governments. We organize not on the basis of pity or charity, but solidarity and mutual aid.
For every arbitrary detention, for every summary deportation, for every minute spent in jail without charge or trial, for every anxious and dehumanizing day spent waiting for status - all the days, months, years that the government has stolen from us - we will continue to organize and struggle, for justice and dignity. Join us to take back stolen time.
We refuse to be invisible; we refuse to live in fear. We demand STATUS FOR ALL and we organize to win.
NO BORDERS, NO NATIONS, STOP THE DEPORTATIONS!
Please contact us at (514) 859-9023 or sansfrontieres@resist.ca
NO TO DEPORTATIONS! NO TO DETENTIONS!
FOR THE ABOLITION OF SECURITY CERTIFICATES!
STATUS FOR ALL!
Solidarity Across Borders is a Montreal-based network engaged in the struggle for justice and dignity of immigrants and refugees. We are comprised of migrants, immigrants, refugees and allies, and come together in support of our main demands: the regularization of all non-status people (Status for All!), an end to deportations and detentions, and the abolition of security certificates.
Some of us have direct experiences with the immigration and refugee system; some of us come from immigrant backgrounds; all of us organize as part of a collective struggle for justice and dignity.
In the past several years, we have persistently campaigned for justice: we have organized pickets, demonstrations and actions; we have actively resisted deportations, and supported individuals and families who are confronting an unjust immigration system; we have organized cultural events, and produced newspapers and popular education materials; we have written hundreds of letters and collected thousands of signatures; we have intervened in the public debates on immigrant rights and also directly confronted the decision-makers responsible for removals and detentions.
We have successfully fought deportations and detentions, but have also seen our family members and friends permanently removed from our lives. We organize for all those who have been removed, extradited, detained, forced underground, forced into sanctuary or victimized by security certificates and secret trials. Inspired by those who have resisted deportations, we continue to mobilize for all who continue to fight against detentions, deportations and security certificates.
In June 2005 we marched for one-week from Montreal to Ottawa to demand a full and inclusive regularization program for all non-status people, based on twelve principles endorsed by the Solidarity Across Borders network and groups across Canada. In 2006, we helped organize the People’s Commission into Immigration “Security” Measures, as well as a National Day of Action demanding “Status for All!” in conjunction with allies in Vancouver and Toronto.
Solidarity Across Borders, an all-volunteer organization, formed in the summer of 2003, and was initiated by migrant rights groups in Montreal, in conjunction with their allies and supporters. We came together to build on ongoing grassroots efforts in Montreal, led and directed by migrant communities themselves. Solidarity Across Borders has grown and evolved to be a network of migrants and allies, working together on campaigns and actions. Our demands and day-to-day work are supported by many local immigrant rights and community groups.
We reject the divide and rule tactics of politicians, and the division between “good” and “bad” immigrants perpetuated by certain advocacy groups.
Instead of the fear and paranoia promoted by the government and its police agents, we organize to support each other, as part of a struggle for self-determination as migrants, supported by allies.
For us, there is no such thing as "illegal" human beings, only unjust laws and illegitimate governments. We organize not on the basis of pity or charity, but solidarity and mutual aid.
For every arbitrary detention, for every summary deportation, for every minute spent in jail without charge or trial, for every anxious and dehumanizing day spent waiting for status - all the days, months, years that the government has stolen from us - we will continue to organize and struggle, for justice and dignity. Join us to take back stolen time.
We refuse to be invisible; we refuse to live in fear. We demand STATUS FOR ALL and we organize to win.
NO BORDERS, NO NATIONS, STOP THE DEPORTATIONS!
Please contact us at (514) 859-9023 or sansfrontieres@resist.ca
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