Putting the Safety and Security of Canadians First

OTTAWA, Nov. 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander announced the coming into force of certain changes under the Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act that will further protect the safety and security of Canadians and the integrity of Canada's immigration system.

The Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act is expediting the removal of foreign criminals from Canada, while making it harder for those who pose a risk to Canadians to enter the country. The new changes will deter and prevent abuse of the immigration system and safeguard Canadians by:

• Increasing the penalty for misrepresentation from a two- to a five-year period of inadmissibility, as well as a five-year ban on applying for permanent resident status. This change will help deter fraudulent applications and sends a strong message to those who would abuse our system that giving false or misleading information has serious consequences.
• Barring temporary entry to immediate family members of those who are inadmissible to Canada on the most serious grounds, including national security, human or international rights violations or organized criminality. This new measure will ensure that individuals who pose a serious danger are unable to use their relatives to expand their networks in Canada.

Quick facts

• Because of the Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act :
  • Convicted criminals sentenced to more than six months imprisonment in Canada are now being removed more quickly as they no longer have the right to file an appeal to the Immigration and Refugee Board's Immigration Appeal Division.
  • As well, those who have a foreign conviction or committed an action outside Canada that carries a maximum sentence of at least 10 years in Canada are also barred from filing an appeal.
  • Foreign nationals who are inadmissible on the most serious grounds, including national security, human or international rights violations or organized criminality, no longer have access to a program that is meant for cases deserving of humanitarian and compassionate consideration.

Quotes

"Canada continues to facilitate legitimate trade and travel however we will not tolerate abuse of our immigration system or put our country at risk. The new measures introduced by our government under the Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act increase our ability to protect the safety and security of Canadians."
Chris Alexander, Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister

Related products 
Backgrounder – Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act
Government of Canada introduces the Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act

Associated links
How to apply for a temporary resident permit

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Photos of Minister Alexander available at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/index.asp

Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada's economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.

SOURCE: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Contacts: Kevin Menard, Minister's Office, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 613-954-1064; Media Relations: Communications Branch, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 613-952-1650, [email protected]