OTTAWA  (23 Jan. 2012)  –  Over the past session of Parliament, few have been busier than the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Jason Kenney. Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, is impressed with the progress made within the department and will ensure, along with Minister Kenney, that the current reforms remain steady.

One of the biggest initiatives regarding Citizenship and Immigration was the introduction of Bill C-4, the Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada's Immigration System Act. Currently being debated in the House of Commons, the Act takes a hard stance against those who wish to abuse Canada’s immigration policy. The Act makes it easier to prosecute human smugglers, establishes the mandatory detention of mass arrivals of illegal immigrants for identification and investigative purposes, and ensures these illegal immigrants do not receive the same benefits as those who came here legally.

“Bill C-4 represents one of the leading promises this Government made before coming to office,” explained Leon Benoit. “It is a necessary reform to our immigration system to ensure the system is not abused.”

Another important reform within the Department of Citizenship and Immigration was a regulatory change that prevents those convicted of violent crimes from being able to sponsor family members. Citizenship and Immigration also enlisted the help of ordinary Canadians this summer by producing a Canada Border Services Agency Wanted List of convicted criminals and international war criminals who gained entry into the country using fraudulent applications. The Wanted List has been successful and has led to the apprehension of several illegal immigrants, making it clear that those who abuse Canada’s immigration system will face the consequences.

Recently the Citizenship and Immigration also introduced new regulations regarding Canadian citizenship oaths. Face coverings and veils will no longer be permitted during the swearing-in ceremony for Canadian citizenship. This ensures that citizenship judges are able to see the faces of those taking the oath, and confirm that the oath is being spoken.

“There should not be two classes of citizenship ceremonies,” stated Mr. Benoit. “Everyone hoping to become a citizen of this country should be subject to the same rules and conditions. Our Government has been committed to reforming the immigration system to prevent any form of abuse of it from taking place, and the reforms introduced over the past session of Parliament reflect that commitment.”