2002-26

MINISTER CODERRE SEEKS GOVERNMENT APPROVAL OF SAFE THIRD COUNTRY AGREEMENT

OTTAWA, September 10, 2002 -- The Honourable Denis Coderre, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced today that he will seek government approval of the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States of America this fall.

"This agreement is the product of dialogue and co-operation between Canada and the United States," said Minister Coderre. "There has been widespread acceptance that some measure of control was necessary to limit abuse of Canada's refugee determination system and this Agreement represents an effective and humanitarian means to accomplish this."

On August 30, 2002, negotiators from Canada and the United States agreed on and initialled a final draft text of the Safe Third Country Agreement. Both countries had committed to stakeholder consultations, which were held over the summer. Canada listened to the comments of NGOs on the initial draft text of the Agreement. Canada and the United States agreed to include several suggestions made by NGOs in the final draft text.

"The Safe Third Country Agreement addresses a fundamental concern about asylum shopping for economic advantage interfering with legitimate claims for refugee protection from those in genuine need," said the Minister. "Canada and the United States have the same commitment to refugee protection and the same international obligations. We also face a common challenge in managing access to our respective refugee determination systems."

Minister Coderre will seek government approval of the Agreement and the regulations governing its implementation. Canada and the United States will develop standard operating procedures for implementation. There will be additional opportunities for stakeholders and other interested parties to contribute toward successful implementation of the Agreement during development of regulations and operating procedures. The Agreement is an integral component of the 30-Point Action Plan that developed from the Smart Border Declaration released by Canada and the United States in December 2001.

"A Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States will guarantee that every refugee claimant has access to a refugee hearing in one country, or the other, but not both," concluded Minister Coderre. "Canada will not remove anyone to another country without a full and fair hearing."

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Final draft text of the Agreement:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/policy/safe-third.html

For more information:

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