Although, the human smuggling costs in Canada are comparatively quite higher as compared to other nations and it is quite risky to smuggle people into Canada, however, all these deterrents are no hindrance for several human smuggling gangs operating internationally.
This was stated by an immigration program manager with Canadian High Commission, Colombo, Brian Hudson.
Every year, smuggling ships are used by wealthy families living in Canada to bring increased number of Tamils from Sri Lanka to Canada and several other nations.
Presently, Canada has nearly 250,000 Sri Lankan migrants living there and its being increasingly seen that efforts are made to bring their family member or relatives in Canada.
Hence, Canada is facing a risk of increased inflow of claimants in Canada in the coming times, warned Hudson in a memo in Ottawa earlier this year.
Sri Lanka is releasing nearly 150,000 Tamils from various camps and its being feared that all these Tamils are likely to sneak into Canada through smuggling ships.
And the return of Tamils from India coinciding with the release of displaced Tamils is posing a big threat for immigration applications for Canada, Hudson cautioned.
Way back in October last year, nearly 76 Tamil migrants had arrived in Canada through Vancouver Island. Last month witnessed arrival of 492 Tamil migrants arriving in Canada off B.C.(British Columbia) coast through the MV Sun Sea.
According to critics in Canada, the Canadian government must have initiated prompt action against arrival of Tamil migrants after being warned nearly nine months ago by its own diplomats in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
According to Justin Trudeau, the Liberal MP and party’s new critic lashed out against the lackluster attitude of the federal government saying the government did nothing to prepare against the challenges to be faced by Canada in the times ahead.
As per the report, nearly 90 ships carrying 2,000 irregular migrants are likely to head for Australian shores shortly. And since Australia has a tough removal program in force, so, this is likely to make Canada a target destination for human smuggling.
Canada immigration minister Jason Kenney is going on a visit to Australia before September 20 to know more about the rules towards refugee vessels.