18 — V/ednesday, September 29, 1999 -- North Shore News erspect Vera Radyo Contributing Writer As staff of agencies working with immi- grants and refugees around the province, we are astounded at the reaction of some mem- bers of the public and media to the Chinese migrants who have arrived here by boat. Tt was just three months ago that’ British Coluntbians were Opening up their hearts and homes to the Kosovars 94 FORD TAURUS GL 4 dr, sedan 90 T6' OTA 4 RUKNER SRS $14,995 VG, auto, 4x4 96 SUZUKI ¥-90 2 dr, auto, 4x4 94 TOYOTA CAMAY LE V6, loaded, local car $13,595 $17,485 who had just arrived fron camps in Albania. In contrast. the Chinese migrants who endured horren- dous voyages over here in tilthy, decrepit boats are told to “go home” by many We are told thac “Canada’s policies of embrace: first-and-ask-ques- 97 4-RUNNER LIMITED loaded, must be seen, like new $39,9995 SOHESSAN 4X4, 5 spd. fooks & runs great $145 tions later favour the cheat and the craok over the legitimate refgee” (North Shore News Editorial Sept 15). Stories about the four boats play prominently in’ the media almost everyday and it would appear that we are in danger of losing control of our borders. We need to keep our per- spective about the nearly 600 boat people who have arrived here from Fujian province. Let us compare with the global situation. “Throughout the world, people are on the move, whether it be because they are persecuted or they are just looking for a better life. More than 200,000 Mexicans illegally enter the U.S. every vear. Ht is estimated that there may be as many as six million migrants fiving ille- gally ino the United States. Most of the world’s 12 million refugees move to neighbour- ing countries close to. their own. Often these countries themselves are poor and can least aftord to look after the refugees. For example: Tran has nwo million refugees within its bor- ders; Pakistan 1.2 million; ‘Tanzania over tive million. Canada does not border on cither a refugee producing 2.8% financing last chance for 99's Sharpest Deals in Town Financing GAC on all 1999 madels 93 HONDA ACCORD LX 4dr, auto, ex. condition $13,495 94 CAMRY YE LE pwr window/locks/mirrors $17,995 92 CHEVROLET LURAINA auto, 2 dr, sport 95 CHRYSLER CONCORDE sedan, auto $1 , 99 TOYOTA COROLLA VE auto, 4dr Ex] TOYOTA CA CAMRY LE V6, ioaded, leather * Camry O.P. $3,000 T.P. $18,024, 4Runner D-P. $4,000 T.P. $25,984 Rav4 0.P. $3,000 TP, $18,792 Sienna D.P. $4,000 TP. $20,464. Taxes extra. O.A.C. Oe ae eee ee oe oo See Be DM a ob DN et et See as or wee ae er Safe die Rie te, cOUDITY nor a poor COUNTY, ‘The number of retiigee claims We receive is down to nwo: thirds of the levels of the carly 1990's. Most: people migrate hers by plane or boat. Last year approximately 24,000 peaple chimed retugee status in Canada and most. of them arrived here by plane. Plane arrivals do not generate the kind of anention thar boat arrivals do. Every month approximately 500 people arrive at) Pearson airport in ‘Foronte and claim refugee sta- tus. Agencies working with immigrants and — reflugees throughout the province report tous that the public anger about the migrants from Fujian province is having a wide ranging effect on long time Chinese residents and other visible minorities. Incidents of racism are on the rise and this makes it difficult for legitimate immigrants look- ing for work or housing. Let's keep the recent boat- loads of migrants in perspective and respond accordingly. We need to provide the Fujian boar people with the due process of law to deter- ive required for boat people mine whether any of them are genuine refugees. To be fir to both them and us, they need an expedited process with quick decisions and then appropriate action. We should be tough on people smugglers, find out who they are and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. We need to also work internationally to: stop human trafficking. We should work with inter- national organizations to edu- cate the people in Fujian province, China and other countries about the dangers of human smuggling. We must remember that this country, which was built by penniless “boat people,” is consistently rated by che United Nations as the best country in the world in which to live. Let us continue to keep our reputation as a just and com- passionate society. — Vera Radyo is executive director for AMSSA, a coalition of 80 not-for-profit agencies in B.C. working with immigrants and refugees and pr oviding multicultural, anti-racist pro- rams. . Education supporters to be recognized THE Learning Partnership of B.C. recently announced the first B.C. Education Partnership Awards to be given annually begin- ning in November 1999. The B.C. Education Partner: ship Awards will recognize out- standing contributions by business and non-profit organiza- tions to the public education system in British Columbia. To be considered, projects must have been developed joint- ly with the education community and have clear relevance to the curriculum. The Learning Partnership of B.C. is a non-prof- it-association that brings leaders from education, business and the community together in partnership initiatives to support public education and enhance Icarning. 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