Government of Canada Enlists Help of Canadians to Enforce Canada's Immigration Laws

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 21, 2011) - Today, the federal government asked Canadians to help in identifying 30 individuals accused of, or complicit in, war crimes or crimes against humanity, and who are thought to be hiding out in locations across Canada. The announcement was made in Toronto by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, and Luc Portelance, President of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

"We all have a part to play in making our communities safe, and today we are asking for Canadians' assistance," said Minister Toews. "In releasing the names of individuals, who are residing illegally in Canada and who are complicit in committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, it is our hope that new information will help our law-enforcement officials track them down and remove them from Canada."

Canada is recognized around the world for its leadership in global efforts to hold persons suspected of, or complicit in, serious human rights abuses accountable for their crimes through cooperation with other countries and international tribunals.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to maintain the integrity of our immigration system. Those who have been involved in war crimes or crimes against humanity will find no haven on our shores," said Minister Kenney. "Should they arrive here by fraud, they will be identified, they will be located, and they will face the consequences."

The CBSA, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Department of Justice, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police work cooperatively with international partners to ensure that those who have engaged in such crimes find no sanctuary in Canada.

"We hope that reaching out to the public today will enhance the ability of the CBSA and its partner organizations to effectively deal with persons complicit in these acts," said President Portelance. "I'm here with the Minister of Public Safety and the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, to encourage the public to provide any information to the CBSA about violations of our immigration law or suspicious cross-border activity by calling the Border Watch Toll-free line or their local police."

The Government of Canada will continue to be vigilant at our border and around the world, making our communities a safer place to live and our citizens more secure.

Help us keep our borders safe. If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity or immigration-related offences, please contact the Canada Border Services Agency Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.

For more information, please visit the CBSA website: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/wc-cg/menu-eng.html