I’ve been searching and searching and I have to concur that “There is no credible information available on illegal immigration in Canada.” The Auditor-General reported that Canada has “lost” about 41,000 people who have been ordered deported. That’s it. No real estimates of how many illegals total. I couldn’t find any information about whether illegals have easy access to welfare benefits, schooling, or health care.
Canada’s biggest immigration problem would appear to be with refugee claimants. If you can make it into Canada to make your refugee claim, you’ve got a good shot of staying. Canada will pay for your legal representation and give you financial support until your claim is heard. And over 50% of claims are accepted compared to less than 20% in other countries. I’m going to be reading more from the Fraser Institute about the refugee system in Canada.
On a related point, I don’t think I ever thought about all of the services that are subsidized by tax dollars that illegal immigrants can use.
[...] I’m looking for similar information from Canada but it’s a bit elusive. I’ll post when I find it. I do know that refugee claimants get benefits even before they actually receive status. Yep … that means the AWOL American military members are receiving Canadian welfare. Doesn’t that just make you feel all warm and fuzzy? (Update: Here’s what I found.) [...]
By: I just assumed that one needed to be a legal resident to get government benefits. « Because No One Asked on May 29, 2008
at 10:47 pm