Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne: Senator Moreau, in Quebec, Amnesty International and other NGOs are denouncing the measures in Bill C-12 that aim to reduce the number of asylum seekers allowed to remain in Canada.

In order to be heard in person by the Immigration and Refugee Board, these applicants will be required to submit their asylum claim within one year of their arrival. Otherwise, they will be forced to submit their case to officials, and the final decision is rarely positive. These shorter deadlines are concerning, because asylum seekers face many obstacles, and this is especially true for women, who may be victims of abuse or violence that can slow down their application process. Why this change of course?

Hon. Pierre Moreau (Government Representative in the Senate): Bill C-12 is an important piece of legislation that addresses several issues that we will have the opportunity to examine here, including the fight against transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and illegal weapons trafficking.

To answer your question more specifically, this bill also seeks to protect the integrity of our immigration system through a number of measures, including limiting the time frame for asylum claims, which is at the heart of the concerns you just raised.

Senator Miville-Dechêne: Continuing with these concerns, will Canada still be meeting its international obligations if it limits the possibility for asylum seekers to be heard by the Immigration and Refugee Board? Are we risking our reputation as a country that is generous towards human beings who are in danger in their own country?

Senator Moreau: The short answer is definitely no. I want to be clear that Canada will always meet its international obligations, including those relating to asylum seekers. As you said, Canada has a solid reputation as a generous country that welcomes those who are fleeing violence. That is why the government is taking steps to ensure the integrity of our immigration system, and Bill C-12 is clear evidence of that.