Tamil refugee ship in Canadian waters off B.C.

[RRxtar]

I need people for my soccer league team too. Should I let the crack head who robbed my cousin on my team because he says hes here anyway? Or should I take someone whos good at the sport, will fit with the team, and will pay their share of the team entry fee?



just because you got here doesnt mean you get to stay here. this isnt that kids game where you run across the field and if you break thru the line of people you get to stay.

[EmperorIS]

these people are from a war torn country.. they are fleeing for survival..
i think as a country we should extend our help to those that are unfortunate ...nevermind going to africa and help .. but when its at our door steps .. its hard to refuse..

just make them sleep on the boat until further notice :P
NOOO CITIZENSHIP!

[Noir]

Originally Posted by ajax

What's wrong with the immigrants who come and work incredibly hard because they have a chance for a much better life? It's the ones who take advantage of the system, bring only violence and crime who should be dealt with. Simply work with the one's who work hard and develop a system.

That's exactly why we have an immigration process.

Anyways, Canada has to realize that by accepting these refugee boat, they're actually sending 2 messages:

1. That we're a civil-rights forward, compassionate nation.
2. That's there's 2 ways to immigrate to Canada. By immigration process and by just showing up in a boat.

[underscore]

^ the original post says the war there just ended. though I'll admit I'm not too familiar with that country and their situation.

[ajax]

Coming to Canada isn't just as easy as filling out a few papers and then bam you're magically on a plane over in a year.
Posted via RS Mobile

[Great68]

Originally Posted by underscore

^ the original post says the war there just ended. though I'll admit I'm not too familiar with that country and their situation.

In a nutshell, Sri Lanka is made up of two main ethnic groups: Sinhalese (The majority) and Tamils (Minority)

Sri Lanka was under British Rule until 1948, when the Sinhalese community wanted political independence and the British granted it. When they were drawing up the new constiution the Sinhalese and Tamils started having disagreements. The Sinhalese being the majority passed a "Sinhala only act" establishing Sinhalese as the only official language.
Of course, the Tamils weren't happy about that and started forming militant groups, and the civil war happened.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or "Tamil Tigers" were a military group known for their brutal attacks and massacres of civilians and/or surrenderees. These brutal attacks caused them to be labelled as a "Terrorist group" by many of the world's governments, including Canada.

On May 17 2009, the Tamil tigers admit defeat.

I'm sure there was wrongdoing on both sides. But I would hate for one of these refugees to be someone that hacked some innocent civilian's head open with an axe while he slept, and then get to stay in Canada.

[freakshow]

Originally Posted by ajax

Its not as easy as filling out a few pieces of paper and bam a year later you're on a plane headed to canada. I personally don't have a problem with people who come here and work hard for their living knowing that they've been given a chance to better their life. That chance being legally or illegally doesn't really matter to me. Now if they come here and fuck it up then send them right back to where they came from. They only get one chance.

So you don't care that your family had to wait YEARS to immigrate to Canada legally, when other people just show up and get accepted?
Also, once Canada accepts them, they can do jack all for society, and we'd still take care of them.. don't pretend that Canada will suddenly grow a spine and kick them out after their "one chance".

[Great68]

Just read that it costs $75,000 to process each migrant...

Which means that the cost on us for this boat is $35 million.

Holy shit, thats half the cost of the new bridge they want to build in Victoria right there.

[Noir]

Originally Posted by ajax

Coming to Canada isn't just as easy as filling out a few papers and then bam you're magically on a plane over in a year.
Posted via RS Mobile

So what are you saying? The above justifies illegal immigration?


And just like any other country, immigrating to Canada is far more complex than just "filling out a few papers." But considering the amount of immigration we've seen in the last 2 decades, wouldn't you conclude we'd be one of nations with a lax immigration law.

[Bouncing Bettys]

Originally Posted by scottsman

What makes people think that everyone on that ship is poor? The last Tamil boat to come to Canada had people paying 40,000usd.

http://www.canada.com/health/Wait+he...797/story.html



I doubt it is even that easy to find a way on to these boats. Obviously the people on the boats must have some connection to the smugglers in some way.

these smugglers often target the most desperate people. the money is more than likely their entire life savings meaning they now have nothing or they never had that money to begin with and now owe a debt of that amount to the smugglers which will have to be worked off, effectively making them workings slaves.

[Drow]

Originally Posted by BaoXu

the vietnamese first came here by boat as refugees. look how their community has thrived and how they give back to our community

pho, trend on track pants and nammer wear, some hot chicks

[scottsman]

The GDP grew at an average annual rate of 5.5% during the early 1990s, until a drought and a deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. The economy rebounded in 1997–2000, with average growth of 5.3%. The year of 2001 saw the first recession in the country's history, as a result of power shortages, budgetary problems, the global slowdown, and continuing civil strife. Signs of recovery appeared after the 2002 ceasefire which died away following the beginning of war. Since the separatist war ended in May 2009 the Sri Lankan stock market has shown marked gains to be among the 3 best performing markets in the world.[38] The Colombo Stock Exchange reported the highest growth in the world for 2003, and today Sri Lanka has the highest per capita income in South Asia. About 14% of the population live on less than US$ 1.25 per day

Sri Lanka, with an income per head of US$1,972, still lags behind some of its neighbours including Maldives but is ahead of its giant neighbour India. Its economy grew by an average of 5% during the 1990s during the 'War for Peace' era. According to the Sri Lankan central bank statistics, the economy was estimated to have grown by 7% last year, while inflation reached 20%.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka#Economy

From the figures above it seems a little far fetched to think many people on that boat would have 40,000$ even if they used their entire life savings. That is not to say that some people could be in the situation where they must work off the debt.

If someone can afford the 40,000$ then they are doing pretty well for themselves and probably wouldn't come to Canada by way of boat.

It seems more likely that a person who is on that boat was/is a part of the Tamil Tigers and has access to money. If they went through the legal means of attempting to come to Canada they would be rejected and perhaps the Sri Lankan Govt could arrest them.

[goo3]

Originally Posted by Ulic Qel-Droma

so... back to the original question, does the government actually follow up on illegal immigrants? or do they just let em free after being processed?

I wanna know this too. What does happen to them? And I don't want "I heard on the news this happens" type of answers. Fuck the news. What's the truth?

[Mr.HappySilp]

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Tam...382/story.html

Guess they will all be staying Canada using our tax dollars. Not to mention in the article it saids more ship is heading to our way!

Way to go Canada! Let's welcome them!

Why can't Canada do what Australia did? Just fucking turn the ship away and if they force their way into our water just shot the boat.

[bcrdukes]

This is an interesting take on the situation (depending on how you see it.) (Source - News1130.com )

Protesters gather in Victoria to protest the arrival of MV Sun Sea
Migrant boats should not be allowed to set sail, says the group

News1130 Staff Aug 14, 2010 16:05:02 PM
Be the first to Comment 0 Recommendation(s) VICTORIA (NEWS1130) - Dozens of protesters gathered at CFB Esquimalt near Victoria this afternoon to protest the arrival of 490 Tamil migrants from Sri Lanka.

The Canada First Immigration Reform Committee says by allowing the MV Sun Sea to dock here, the federal government is not protecting Canada.

Organizer Paul Fromm says the group isn't looking for a fight, it's simply trying to send a message to Ottawa. "There's apparently two more boats ready to come our way because they know it works. The only way to crack down on people smuggling is to make it not work, and the way to do that is like the Americans and the Australians do it and that is they don't let them into their waters."

Critics say the feds should put more pressure on the Sri Lankan government to stop migrant boats before they set sail.

[Slifer]

Fuck this thread angers me.

[Blue_StreakR]

I personally don't know enough about the situation, but for starters, comparing these people coming here and claiming refugee status to for example a family that is in no threat of harm in there homecountry that simply wants a better opportunity in Canada is like comparing apples and oranges. Every situation is different.

With that being said, Canada is taking a stance that is far too soft when it comes to people claiming refugee status and it is being abused. There are many people all over the world that are living in horrible conditions, and suffer daily violence, and further atrocities. The world is fucked up. It's too bad, but it's a reality. Canada trying to act as Mother Theresa is going to eventually backfire. Helping out some people I have no issue with, but the majority of Sri Lankan refugees do come to Canadian shores. When will it end? Who is going to follow them?? How much is it going to cost??

[OTG-ZR2]

I do not agree with the way this situation is being handled. We should provide bare necessity's for the migrants and send them back on there way.

[Manic!]

You have to stop the problem at the source. Once they are on the boat it’s too late. People always say they will do anything for their family and these Tamils did that.
They sold everything they owned and begged and borrowed just to get enough money to get here. Image how terrible your life would have to be for you to do that.
I bet none of these Tamils would have been accepted by Immigration Canada if they tried legally. Some countries won’t even let you apply or leave i.e. North Korea a
nd Iran so the only option is to sneak out and speak in to another country.

A few years ago my cousin came to Canada on a working Visa because my uncle needed workers for his commercial laundry. If he didn’t have family here there is no way
he would have made it here. Another one of my uncle’s relatives also applied at the same time but was rejected. Now my cousin is married and working 6 days a week
as a roofer from sunup to sun down and in a few years he will on his own house and live the Canadian dream.

As Canadians we should not refuse to help people when they are in need no matter where they are from or how they got here. It some of these Tamils are terrorist they
should be sent back but the others should be allowed to say, I think they have suffered enough.

[Graeme S]

Policy is that immigration releases people they do not believe will be an immediate danger to others. They are free to live and even work here as the refugee process continues.

They are required to attend all requisite hearings, and update their address to the authorities, however spot checks are generally not done until and unless the individuals are either rejected as refugees or fail to appear for a hearing. Not all do actually give updated addresses, so it can be difficult to deport individuals, especially if they appeal.

To add difficulties to this process, recently a (south!) Korean woman who had applied as a refugee was approached by her immigration judge for a sexual relationship "that might help me help you in your hearing". This coming out may have tainted all the previous hearings.

Manic, I'm curious if your uncle couldve hired a Canadian person to work at the laundromat. It's my understanding that to sponsor someone, there is a requisite minimum pay (now above $18/hr), as well as a discussion with someone from CBSA on why it is not possible to hire someone locally. While I understand your uncles' desire to help a family member, and that the person is now working crazily and married...I'd wonder if a person who was born here or had applied through conventional channels would have that opportunity, and if the taxes your uncle's relative is now paying are paying for said Canadian's welfare.
Posted via RS Mobile

[Manic!]

Originally Posted by Graeme S

Manic, I'm curious if your uncle couldve hired a Canadian person to work at the laundromat. It's my understanding that to sponsor someone, there is a requisite minimum pay (now above $18/hr), as well as a discussion with someone from CBSA on why it is not possible to hire someone locally. While I understand your uncles' desire to help a family member, and that the person is now working crazily and married...I'd wonder if a person who was born here or had applied through conventional channels would have that opportunity, and if the taxes your uncle's relative is now paying are paying for said Canadian's welfare.
Posted via RS Mobile

It's hard finding reliable workers. We have a gas station and have a hard time getting workers. At night I have waited 40 plus minutes at a McDonald's Drive thru near my house because they only have one person doing everything, they are in desperate need of workers but can't find anyone to work there.

[BrRsn]

Government's try too hard to make everyone happy. If they reject this boat jews might see some parallelism to what happened to them when they tried to flee germany to avoid concentration camps. Indians (mostly punjabis) will probably bring up the Komagata Maru incident where ~30 people on the boat were shot and killed before even docking back in India. There's gonna be backlash no matter what, stop bending the rules for everyone and just be firm with you're policies ...

[Manic!]

Originally Posted by dhillon09

\ Indians (mostly punjabis) will probably bring up the Komagata Maru incident where ~30 people on the boat were shot and killed before even docking back in India. There's gonna be backlash no matter what, stop bending the rules for everyone and just be firm with you're policies ...

The thing about the Komagata Maru was that the people on board were British subjects and Canada was part of the British empire. People from Canada had know problem going to any country under the rule of the British without any problems.

[BrRsn]

Originally Posted by Manic!

The thing about the Komagata Maru was that the people on board were British subjects and Canada was part of the British empire. People from Canada had know problem going to any country under the rule of the British without any problems.

Sorry typed in a rush,

What I meant is the jews and the indians were both situations where they should have been allowed. I forget the statistic but I think all of the jews that tried to come here, ended up in concentration camps.

And so now, to avoid looking bad or horrible in the eyes of other countries/potential tourists they're just trying to seem more humanitarian and hospitable to everyone. Which, like a previous statement said, will have everyone living in a third world country trying to get here, 'cause we take everyone.

I'm assuming the possibility of slums and shanty towns popping up to house these people won't kill tourism? Working minimum wage there is no way in hell a person can afford $800/month rent + food + transportation + whatever the hell else you need

[Manic!]

Originally Posted by dhillon09

Sorry typed in a rush,

e possibility of slums and shanty towns popping up to house these people won't kill tourism? Working minimum wage there is no way in hell a person can afford $800/month rent + food + transportation + whatever the hell else you need

$800 rent where are you looking? My cousin pays $450 in Surrey for a basement suite and Indian/Bangladeshi food is cheap when bought in bulk and cooked at home . Working 12 hours a day 6 or 7 days a week adds up.


Also the Tamil community says they will help the refugee's.