Letters to the Editor

2004

May 17, 2004

Matthew Fraser
Editor, National Post
300-1450 Don Mills Road
Don Mills ON M3B 3R5

Dear Mr. Fraser:

I am writing in reference to the front page article published on May 17, 2004 ("Ottawa errs in war crime report").

The article clearly illustrates a misunderstanding of the deportation process.

The 2002-2003 Modern War Crimes Annual Report clearly, and correctly, states that 48 persons were removed from Canada. The Report also indicates that five immigration warrants were executed in war crime related cases.

However, it would appear that Mr. Humphreys has confused the execution of warrants with removals. He writes "Despite his continuing appeal to remain here, Mr. Demirovic is one of five alleged war criminals whom the federal government told the Post had been deported for war crimes between April 1, 2002 and March 31, 2003, the most recent figures available". This does not accurately reflect the information given to Mr. Humphreys by Canada Border Services Agency officials who confirmed the execution of a warrant in this case.

Warrants are issued when people fail to appear at any point in the immigration process. When the subject of a warrant is arrested, the warrant is executed, and the person resumes immigration processing. The execution of a warrant is not synonymous with deportation.

CBSA takes all allegations of war crimes seriously and continues to work to bring perpetrators to justice through prevention overseas, detection and removal from Canada.

Sincerely yours,

Alain Jolicoeur
President
Canada Border Services Agency

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