Tamil relatives still waiting for news from migrants

An immigration and citizenship lawyer says the new rule that was proposed by the government last year would end long waiting periods and give preference to those migrants most in need and would also decrease the amount of people migrating to Canada.

Canada AM: Neerja Ganeshalingam, family on ship

A woman in London, Ont. who has family among the Tamil migrants who have arrived in B.C. says letting media into the hearings will let them know how they're doing and what their future will hold.

CTV National News: Leah Hendry on the hearings

Stephen Harper commented for the first time about the arrival of almost 500 Sri Lankans seeking refugee status, as the first of many detention hearings was held Tuesday for the migrants. A woman who traveled with her brother and parents was the first to undergo a detention review.

CTV News Channel: Richard Kurland, lawyer

An immigration lawyer says allowing the media to access the hearings will be decided on a case-by-case basis, while also saying the refugees will be forgiven for skipping the regular migration process if their claims are legitimate.

CTV News Channel: Manjula Selvarajah

A member of the Canadian Tamil Congress says she thinks the government will follow due process and the RCMP will take appropriate action if need be. She adds she is incredibly disappointed the Sri Lankan government is doing nothing to help.

CTV National News: Craig Oliver on the hearings

Immigration officials in Vancouver began a series of interviews to determine whether nearly 500 migrants who arrived by ship last week are entitled to refugee status. But while that was going on, two conflicting narratives about what's behind the voyage have begun to emerge.

CTV British Columbia: Jon Woodward on hearings

The migrant detention hearings for the Tamil refugees began Monday. A woman in her 30s was scheduled to be the first Tamil migrant to have her detention status reviewed. Jon Woodward reports.

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Neerja Ganeshalingam speaks on Canada AM from CTV's studios in London, Ont., Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Wed. Aug. 18 2010 6:55 PM ET

As Ottawa continues to sort out the identities of the 492 Tamil migrants who landed in British Columbia last week, many Canadian Tamils are still awaiting confirmation that their family members made the trip to Canada.

Neerja Ganeshalingam's family is waiting to find out what happened to 11 relatives who boarded a boat several months ago.

Due to the timing of their departure, Ganeshalingam believes they were likely on board the MV Sun Sea -- the ship that sailed from Thailand and arrived in B.C. on Friday.

"I suspect that because I have a grandmother who lives in Sri Lanka who has told us that these 11 members of my family boarded a boat around the same time of the departure of this boat," Ganeshalingam told CTV's Canada AM from London, Ont., on Wednesday morning.

But her Canadian family won't be sure until they hear from their Sri Lankan relatives directly.

"We haven't had contact with them for up to six months now," Ganeshalingam said. "So we have no idea."

For now the people who landed in B.C. are being housed in local detention facilities while they await detention hearings. On Tuesday, 78 hearings were held, with some migrants appearing in-person before Immigration and Review Board officials and others by telephone.

The IRB has allowed reporters into the current hearings, which are often closed. The Canadian Tamil Congress and the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam have not been allowed to attend.

In the aftermath of Sri Lanka's long and bloody civil war, Ganeshalingam said the Tamil people have been left with little chance of rebuilding the lives they used to have.

"The war in Sri Lanka is officially over as we all know it, but the conditions are not much better," she said.

Ganeshalingam said "their homes are not there anymore, their schools are not there, their hospitals are all gone."

In Ganeshalingam's own family, at least 10 people died as a result of the war. After so much loss, she said that the family members that have fled Sri Lanka simply have "no hope for maintaining the same life that they had before."

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Chuck
said

In my book, there is a reason or purpose for everything action. And to the 492 Tamils on that ship, their purpose obvious is to come to Canada (not India, China, Japan, Philippine, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand...not even a turn south to the United States). Why? Cause they all well known of our immigration policy towards refugees. So why go anywhere else when they know thay could be sent packing else where?Regardless of how they fund this voyage, they have made it and we as Canadian are stuck with the $$$ bill.Hopefully, our government will get a wake up come from this and smarten up by quickly tighten up our policy. Or else you will be sure more ships will be on the way.

Ian Whitfield
said

I'm confused. What does $50k buy in Sri Lanka? Why would they be on a boat, starving and sick, for 90 days rather than fly? Something's not logical here. How could the relatives know about this in advance and, being loyal Canadians, not warn the authorities? How loyal to Canada is that?! They should have refueled the ship, given provisions and sent them away. Why? Because other ships are awaiting the outcome of this situation.

Jim McB
said

If Tamils talked to their relatives before departure and the relatives knew of their whereabouts, this becomes a planned migration. That argument would nulify any refugee claims and the situation becomes one of a planned immigration queue jump abetted by Tamils living here.If that is the case it is time to send them packing and to investigate the actions of the relatives!

JFJ
said

According to one newspaper report acceptance rates for refugees are at 75% in Canada vs. 15 to 20% in other Western countries. Why?

scott
said

By allowing these illegal immigrants to set foot on Canadian soil, the government of canada has effectively rendered the legal immigration process useless. Very few immigrants will bother to legally apply which could take years with the possibilty that they could be refused when all they have to do is find a smuggler to bring them here and their claim is automatically granted. Canada always has been and always will be a joke in the eyes of the international community due to our unwavering commitment to being stupid. To come to this country, it absolutely must be done legally.

Brian
said

Sounds to me like expedited family re-unification. Alot of these family members seem to have known they were comming on this or boats yet to come.

Daniel - albeta
said

I don't agree with stop complaning, I think he/she doesn't get the main issue... its the process of migrating here in Canada, the money (tax) isn't the main issue. The government should also think twice on dealing with these issues.

sid
said

For the tax paying Tamils who have legally immigrated to Canada and are now working toward Canadian Citizenship - we are delighted to have you join us.The frustration you see here is because those of us who are here legally want our government to insist that all prospective immigrants follow our immigration laws. This is a matter of security. All applicants should go through the screening process before arriving on Canadian shores.This boatload of people should be sent back and advised to do it right. No queue jumping!

willowway
said

The comments do not say that these boat people are not wanted here. They are simply wanting our government to ensure that immigration is done legally. No queue jumping!

Stop Complaining
said

I am one of 250,000 Tamil Canadian who pays tax to this government. I don't understand why everyone (non-Tamil) is talking like they are the only ones who pay tax and all the Tamils who live in this country don't pay tax.

Peter
said

I'm not sure why anyone would go through the normal process to come here when they can just show up on a boat and live off a system they never paid a cent into. Everyone else can turn these people away I wish Canada could do the same

Dennis
said

You can bet thet they were All Coached on what to say prior to their arrival.BY the way, seize the ship,scape it, and reclaim that monies into our coffers.

new to Canada
said

has anyone else noticed when she said "this boat", more boats to come will be given fact. RCMP,Coast guard please this time, intercept, refuel their boat/s and send them away. Please don't forget to tell them "please proceed to your nearest Canadian embassy"

MRC in Ontario
said

@Drew from T.O: You are absolutely correct. Where DID the money come from?? Throw everyone in jail whom participated with this human smuggling operation. What the hell is the point of sovereignty & calling ourselves a "country" when we give people an inevitable path to citizenship with they land on our shores (like this)?

Dennis
said

if the relitives are wanting to know about their family, it appears to me that these so called families all ready present here in Canada ,all ready new or even funneled money's over to the boat people, they all ready new that this boat was coming over so rather than use due process lets stick it to the Canadian people. There are right and wrong ways to gain statis in Canada, they have done nothing that would even say that they would follow our rules once here. I say send them all packing.

Doug # BC
said

I'm not sure what laws they use in the USA to turn boats back to Cuba,but we could use some laws like that here.From all I have read in the last few weeks,Canada cannot LEGALLY intercept this vessel in international waters.AND,our current refugee agreements require that we process all people who land on Canadian soil and declare themselves as refugees. So,instead of whining abour taking illegal actions,we should focus on what we can do within the laws. For a start,UN protocol clearly states that a fleeing refugee has to apply from the first safe country he/she can reach.Cleary Canada in not that country in this case. Then we need to address the hearings.What is the burden of proof?? Do refugees have to PROVE they were in danger to be acceoted,or does the government have to PROVE they are criminals and terrosists to reject them? And who sits on these boards?? I suspect a gaggle of socialists and bleeding hearts.We already know they admitted people who went on to bomb Air India,people who are now in US jails for buying heat seeking missiles,and many who simply refer to western values as the values of "infidels". "We the people" must not let the passage of time let this important issue fade away.Do not buy the line spouted by Mr.Ignatieff about us being "compassionate".Canda does more than it's fair share.We accept more refugees and immigrants per capita than any othe nation on the planet."Iggy" want to guilt us into rolling over on this issue.Likely to secure the Tamil votes in Ontario. Canada is being seriously abused.If you don't have the stomach to defend this once great nation,the least you can do is get out of the way of those who do.PRO PATRIA

Cindy
said

�but the conditions are not much better.� These illegal Tamil migrants are definitely not refugees. This sounds like economic migrants. they are not facing persecution. Obviously they are lying. They have committed the first crime, coming in illegally, worse than trespassing. Now, they are committing the second crime, lying to authorities that they are refugees when in fact they are economic migrants. Why does Canada have to take them when they commit crimes? Canadian Gov is inconsistently using the same law. They are coming illegally for a better life. That does not mean Canada has to take all these illegal Tamil people coming in illegally. Many Mexican, African, and Afghan condition are not much better and they are facing violence and murder. That does not mean Canada has to take them all in.Canadian Gov has to deport these illegal Tamil migrants. If not turning them back, not only more ships with illegal Tamil migrants coming to Canada, but more ships from other war torn countries like Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Darfur coming to Canada soon. Are we ready to take them all in legally or illegally? Are ready for more problem like future terrorists and wasting tax payers?

Currie
said

If any of the migrants have family members already in Canada, those families should sponsor the migrant and be responsible for their support. I note that none of the Tamils being interviewed, and reporting they may have family members aboard the ship, have volunteered to act as sponsors.

John
said

They should of used the 50K to put together rebuilding their country. But they rather come to Canada and live off tax payer money. I am from immigrant family but we came the legel way to canada trying to run away from all the violence in our country. If my mother had receive 50K or even had the chance to save that money I think I would never be a canadian citizen because I would still be back in my mother country helping to build our future.

Mahindan
said

$50,000 is penuts for Canadian Tiger supporters who have spent billions in the Ealam war just to have holiday homes in the Sun. More man power is needed in Canada because the dream is still alive. Did you realise so called refugees are all men but for a few women & children. Let them in by all means!

Tony (Azilda)
said

Why does the media continue to lend support to these illegal immigrants with their one-side commentaries? Since Sri Lanka is no longer in conflict (the Tamil-induced war ended in May, 2009), they are not fleeing a war-torn country - they are Tamils, many of whom were active LTTE guerillas, who are being brought to Canada by the Canada Council or Tamils, as were the bulk of the 76 who, through the abject failure of government agencies, gained admission to Canada in October, 2009.We may as well throw away the protocols for legal admission to Canada, since, once again, the Tamils have shown the world how to by-pass the system, despite the grave concerns of the vast majority of Canadian taxpayers.We have not seen the end of the Tamil invasion of Canada.

Mel Blake
said

Given the seemingly large number of people on this boat who have relatives in Canada, it is clear that they and the relatives knew all they had to do is reach Canada to get what they wanted. Canada has signed international human rights treaties, so there's an obligation to give each person a hearing. However, the relatives of these people should be investigated to see if they wired money to facilitate. These people should also be put in the back of the line for any immigration hearings and held in custody until then. Anyone naive enough to think there's no Tamil Tiger connection or Tiger members on the boat needs to grow up.

BMIA
said

The ship came from Thailand! The ship did not come from Sri Lanka! To say that there isn't anything nefarious going on is, at best, misconstrued, and at worst, completely wrong and fabricated! So were they in Thailand illegally or under false pretenses? Did they also leave Thailand illegally or under false pretenses? Refugees are persons who have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country. That definition is straight from the Canadian Council for Refugees. Also, they state: "There is no such category as economic refugee�. Based on the information presented in this article (and others) - I see no basis for refugee status. But I'm not on the board that has to make those determinations.

Professor D
said

Well it sounds like it was "organized" since so many already here have knowledge of relatives on board the "good ship Lolly-Pop" making a sweet trip to the Candy-Shop "Canada". And guess who are the suckers? "Canadian taxpayers" that's who. Isn't that sweet! Be ready to see more minuses on the taxation section of your paychecks! Wonder why you never seem to get ahead in life?

Lorne
said

Agree with Paul and Unreal:If they didn't have the 50K, then somebody gave them the money. Who?They should never have been allowed to set anchor on Canadian shores.Our Navy ships should have turned them around and refused them entry into Canadian waters.

to_be_frank
said

I had a Tamil employee who worked for me in Toronto some years ago, and I asked him what he thought of the Tamil Tigers. He told me he hated them and what they were doing in his former country. They engaged in suicide bombing of civilians. They expelled any non-Tamil peoples from their homes in areas of the country they controlled. They forced children away from their parents to join their guerrilla group. And in Toronto, local supporters engaged in fundraising for the group that amounted to extortion from the local Tamil community. I don't know if there are any former members of the Tamil Tigers on board this ship, but any who are should not be admitted.

Mahindan
said

Thousands of canadians joined in the protest marches in support of the brutal terrorist organisation, Tamil Tigers. You armed and supported them to wage war against the Sri Lankan government but they have lost. Where do you think they would be heading now, certainly not to India.

Vickie B
said

My conclusion, as of many Canadians is that these migrants are illegally trying to enter Canada using money to buy their way in. If family members here in Canada supplied this money why did they not use the proper channels through immigration Canada and apply to have their families accepted to our country. Could it be that some relatives are here also illegally?How are we suppose to open our arms and our hearts to people who before even stepped foot in our country have decided it is acceptable to break the law?There are routes/formats and laws for a reason an no one who pays $50,000 is a refugee as they would have the funding to rebuild or re establish themselves in their own country. Paying for a voyage that is possibly a "smuggling" operation makes every one of these migrants illegal and should not be allowed to remain in Canada.

Earthwatcher
said

Don't jump to conclusions about the migrants paying $50,000 so they must be well off. What frequently happens is they actually don't have the money and are held in bond for years after arrival in this country, working it off. Yes, working it off to the gangsters, thugs or terrorists that shipped them over here in the first place.There may be some that could actually afford to pay the money up front, which in my mind makes them queue jumpers and here illegally. I'm also inclined to think there will be a good number of them that are here alone having to have left their families behind in the hopes that they can A) pay off the debt they incurred getting on board that rust bucket of a ship to get here and B) will be granted refugee or immigrant status to that at some point they can bring some or all of their family here to join them.Welcome to the new economy of human trafficking for profit.

unreal
said

to ShatiI really do not care if they all paid 50K. The point is they are here ILLEGALLY. These people cannot even respect the Canadian law before getting here so guess what........After they are put on welfare, giving low rent housing(that we Canadian can't even get close to) health and dental care and everything else they want as soon as they start complaining, do you really think they will respect our laws.....think not

Jim-Surrey
said

Well if Canadian Tamils need to hear from relatives maybe they should have advised them to do it legally so with any luck they will hear from them when they are sent home instead of wasting our resources on illegal migrants on a rust bucket!

Dan
said

This story aired back to back with story about our veterans fighting for proper compensation. These families can sponsor their relaives through proper channels. Taxpayers money is going into a wrong direction completely... Whoever has relatives in Canada should be billed for services rendered if they chose to acknowledge their relatives. When we have no money for people who served our country but have 50k for illegal immigrants there is something wrong with that picture.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

Happy with this immigration farce? Think that a completely open-door "refugee" policy in Canada is a good and entirely beneficial thing? Think that the rest of the world, particularly self-destructive countries, should dictate how this nation orchestrates the inflow of foreigners? A couple years ago, Auditor General Sheila Fraser discovered that Canada's Border Services Agency had lost track of over 40,000 illegal immigrants that were ordered deported. Failed refugee claimants constituted the majority. (Criminals and terrorists sweetened that mix.) This overall mindlessness, of which the Liberals are proud but denying architects, makes a mockery of the integrity of our national immigration policy and serves as an insult to all those who respectfully and lawfully stand in line at our door. Yes, indeed, "refugees" should enjoy special arrival status. However, our current policy/system yields control to said claimants, and puts Canada in the silly position of picking up the tab for being at THEIR mercy.

Joseph
said

The UN states it is safe for them to return home, they boarded a boat a place where they were safe and could apply to Canada for immigrantion and wait liek everyone else, but they chose do it their own way. So now are you all saying that the UN is lying and these illegal immigrants are telling us the truth. Open your eyes.

AJN
said

How did they manage to pay for this trip? Most Canadians do not have that type of money. They jumped the line in the immigration process and boats will start arriving. Do what the Australians did and send a message once and for all. SEND THEM BACK.

Jack R
said

I hope the politicians are smart enough to read the comments of the majority of Canadians to see how thoroughly angry we are. We're asking they be treated like ALL immigrants to Canada. You don't cut in line when it suits you. Send them home, and let them apply like everyone else. They shouldn't have preferential treatment. It's a racist thing to do when you choose them over another refugee just because they're Tamil. What about all the other people waiting to get into Canada. Should they cheat also?

Jay
said

$50k x 11 == $550,000

I really doubt people have that sort of money and even if they can gather up that money..how would they get through to these smugglers? And I really doubt that these these smugglers would take I.O.Us from people.

Plus, if you had that sort of a money in a third-world country then why would you come to Canada and work minimum wage jobs and face the winters.

I THINK IT IS OBVIOUS...there is persecution in Sri Lanka... I repeat... Why else would people who supposedly has all this money leave a tropical place where they can live comfortable WITH THAT MONEY..... pay off smugglers to move to Canada where they would eventually work minimum wage cleaning our toilets and working in factories? And not to mention face -30 wind chills. Think we can all agree something is wrong in Sri Lanka then, eh?

Frank Buchan
said

Starting out life as a Canadian by flaunting Canadian immigration laws pretty much sums up the level of disrespect happening here. If they had relatives in Canada, there were/are channels, however imperfect. It is extremely hard to maintain sympathy with the plight of people who disrespect a country before they even reach it. This give sour whole system a black eye, as well, by saying queue jumpers from anywhere take priority of legitimate folks who use the existing channels.

unreal
said

$50K per person. It should really be a two way ticket. Feed them, refuel the sinking ship and wave them good bye

Dean in Abby
said

Why waste our time and money on lawyers etc, when we already know that the bleeding hearts among us will accept all of these illegals anyway? The problem with our country is not that we don't want immigrants, but rather, we have become so politically correct, that we don't dare offend anyone, even the criminals. We are a joke and thats why the criminal element has so much success in our country. We should be like Australia. If we need you, we'll call. If not stay out.

Phil
said

Look, I hope everyone is safe too. But if these 'relatives' are in Canada and KNEW these people would enter illegally/forcibly, are they not complicit in a crime? Shouldn't they have informed someone that they had family being smuggled here? If this one 'slips' by, we are setting a very dangerous precedent here for human smuggling and the slave trade.Tamils should be subjected to the same scrutiny and procedure as ANY other migrant of ANY other ethnic group - for the long term good of us all, incluing the Canadians of Tamil origin.No one should be given special rights or privilege to appease certain voting blocks.

Dan.D.
said

Most of the Tamils will end up in Toronto. It will cost $20 million for lawyers and welfare to we the overtaxed Ontarians. The doors should be shut A.S.A.P.

dean in NL
said

@ paul, it should. if they could spend that kind of money, more than i make in a year, they should be able to afford to come in through the front door, not the window.

Concearned
said

Well said, for that matter why was the ship escorted in at all? Why not resupply food fuel medicine and send back to port of origin?

Ryley fr SK
said

I would guess that there is enough sympathy from special rights groups out there that "we" taxpayers have no chance of sending these migrants back. On the other hand this media following is probably just a small portion of the migrants who end up in our country unannounced to the public. Hopefully there is more of this 50k floating around so that hard working canadians do not see more tax increases next spring.

sandra
said

while i am sure the lives of the illegals who picked Canada as their destination will be much better than in Sri Lanka that is not reason to travel across the Pacific to live off the taxpayers of this country. As this Tamil woman from London says they have to start a new life and they don't have any help there... hhmm sounds like an economic refugee at best!

Clive
said

This is a clear case of queue jumping.If the supposed refugees have family in Canada why cant they immigrate the normal way instead if taking the ship.If the Canadian members of their family sent money for their travel,have they been taxed on it.A big conspiracy theory.Somehwere along the way it seems everyone knew of the plan but no one wanted to act on it.I think we can all rant and rant all we want.The end of the story is that we Canadians have been taken for a ride and these people will get what tey want:REFUGEE STATUS....Shame on you so called refugees.Think about it..why not go to India where all the tamilians live.Becasue India cannot give them what they want and economically Canada is a better place than India.

Glen
said

I'm with Paul on this one. If family members in Canada were involved, it almost smacks of conspiracy.

J adam
said

It is a shame, people who legaly sponsor their spouses, children and parents from war torn countries wait 3-5yrs to hear a decision; however, people who make fun of the immigration system and its policies and illegaly land some where in canada get special attention and their immigration applications are expedited, and to add to the irony they end up putting financial strain on provincial / fedral financial system. WOW CANADA IS REALLY GREATTTTTTT !!!!

Drew From T.O
said

Wonder where they got the money to get here?From the canadian relatives maybe??This should be investigated and if found true they should be put in jail for human smuggeling. I am sooooo tired of this!

Shathi Siva
said

Why is that every one so into thinking that all tamils are terrorists. There is no proof that they all paid 50K.

Russ
said

Tamils have been rendered devastated with orphans, widows, maimed and others devastated with the loss of loved ones, by a brutal regime which does not allow any outsiders to show compassion.It is the Canadian Government, as applauded by the UNHCR is coming forward to help these people despite some hardline supremacists are attempting to hijack the Harper government threatning the vote bank.Thank you

Paul
said

If they were living in tents and being treated poorly, where did they get the money to go onboard that ship. $50K/person is a lot of money. If relatives in Canada sent the money for the voyage and the ship is linked to the terrorist organization, doesn't that mean the relatives here can face charges on supporting a terrorist group?

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