Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

News Release

RICHMOND – The Federal and Provincial governments are providing funding towards $41.2 million in several local infrastructure projects, announced today by Richmond MP Alice Wong and MLA for Richmond East Linda Reid.

A new $26.9-million interchange will be built at Nelson Road and Highway 91, to provide direct access from Highway 91 to the Fraser Port Industrial Area by extending Nelson Road north from the Westminster Highway. The new interchange will provide an alternate route for traffic using Westminster Highway as an east-west connection from Richmond, Highway 99, and Knight Street. This project will reduce traffic congestion, and create better access to the highway network. Community partners will also contribute funding towards this project.

$12.3 million of the joint funding will provide two new sections of shoulder bus lanes along Highway 99 – one from Sea Island Way to Westminster Highway (southbound), and one from Steveston Highway to Westminster Highway (northbound) tying into shoulder bus lanes currently under construction. This project will significantly reduce travel time for buses operating south of the Fraser River.

In addition, $2 million will go towards extending Lansdowne Road to link #3 Road and the Olympic Oval.

“Canada’s economic action plan is working for Richmond,” said Wong. “This announcement is a great example how the Canadian government works together with other levels of government to fund projects that will have long-term benefits for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.”

“These projects are spectacular news for Richmond,” said Reid. “We’re improving access to Fraser Port, minimizing impacts on local farmers and residents along Westminster Highway and creating 260 new jobs. We’re also making it easier for residents to use transit. All of these infrastructure projects will bring long lasting benefits to my constituents.”

These projects are a part of the $290-million infrastructure investment, recently announced by the Government of Canada and the Province of B.C.

The provincial portion of the funding comes from an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

The federal portion of the funding comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to provide funding to provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure projects. Funding will be available for two years for projects that will begin during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons. This initiative is structured to flow funding and get shovels in the ground quickly.

The following is from the March 26, 2009 Hansard debates – on the motion to to adopt the second report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, which states the following:

The Committee recommends that the government immediately implement a program to allow conscientious objectors and their immediate family members (partners and dependents), who have refused or left military service related to a war not sanctioned by the United Nations and do not have a criminal record, to apply for permanent resident status and remain in Canada; and that the government should immediately cease any removal or deportation actions that may have already commenced against such individuals.

Mrs. Alice Wong (Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to participate in this debate and to speak against the motion proposed by the hon. member for Trinity—Spadina.

As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration noted earlier, Canada has a fair, internationally recognized system to provide refuge to those fleeing persecution, risk of torture or risk to life, or of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. We are committed to protecting refugees and those in need of protection. This means that we must ensure the system is there for those who genuinely need it.

All refugee claimants have the right to due process and when they have exhausted legal avenues, we expect them to respect our laws and leave Canada.

Today I intend to address two key issues in this debate: the fair process available to refugee claimants and immigration applications and the potential problems that could arise from adopting this motion.

Canadians want a refugee system that helps to protect genuine refugees. All refugee claimants in Canada have the right to due process, a principle established by the Supreme Court in 1985 for refugee status determination in Canada. This is the basis for how Canada has maintained a fair and internationally recognized system to provide refuge to those fleeing persecution.

Refugee claims made in this country, including those made by U.S. service personnel, are heard by the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board, the IRB, of Canada. The IRB is a quasi-judicial independent body that provides a fair hearing to those who claim to be in need of protection. It assesses each claim on its own merit with regard to risk of persecution, torture, risk to life or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.

The board reports that currently fewer than 50 claims have been made by U.S. citizens on the basis of objection to military service. As has been demonstrated in the publicized cases of Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey, the refugee protection process allows ample opportunity for claimants to challenge decisions made concerning their claims. They may do so through seeking leave for judicial review by the Federal Court. In some instances, they have sought leave to appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.

While waiting for a decision on their claims, refugee claimants who pass medical screening are entitled to a work permit, which allows them to be employed in Canada. Those who cannot find work may apply for social assistance in the province where they reside. These claimants also have access to emergency medical services funded by the Government of Canada.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, failed refugee claimants may also request, prior to being removed from Canada, a pre-removal risk assessment. This assessment allows CIC officials to examine any new evidence, any change in country conditions or other circumstances that might arise concerning personalized risk to individuals. This could include evidence such as whether a person would face risk of persecution, torture, risk to life or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment if an applicant was returned to the country of origin. These are the same elements that are assessed by the Refugee Protection Division of the IRB.

There are also other avenues available to people wishing to move to Canada should they not qualify as refugees. Normally, those seeking permanent residence do so by applying for a visa outside of Canada, but foreign nationals who wish to apply for permanent residence from within Canada may do so on humanitarian and compassionate grounds or, if eligible, as a member of an in-Canada class.

There has been a great deal of coverage regarding the cases of Mr. Hinzman and Mr. Hughey, the American soldiers who deserted the United States army, came to Canada and made refugee claims in this country. The Immigration and Refugee Board rejected the applicants’ claims for refugee protection. The Federal Court of Canada and, subsequently, the Federal Court of Appeal, dismissed their cases. The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed their application for leave to appeal on November 15, 2007.

As others have said, claimants have access to a fair hearing in Canada with a number of opportunities for review. However, the Immigration and Refugee Board, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada have all indicated that these U.S. military deserters have not demonstrated that they are in need of Canada’s protection as refugees.

The motion to implement an in-Canada program to allow these individuals to apply to remain and work in Canada and to be eligible for permanent resident status runs counter to having an immigration policy that is both fair and consistent in its application.

As I noted earlier, this government is committed to ensuring that all immigration applicants and refugee claimants have access to the full process outlined by IRPA and that all cases are fully and equitably resolved. By supporting this motion, the House would be calling for a unique benefit for some foreign nationals proposing that they can be allowed to apply for permanent resident status outside of existing immigration channels.

For the reasons I have outlined, I urge my fellow members in the House to vote against this motion.

Mr. Paul Szabo (Mississauga South, Lib.):

Mr. Speaker, I understand that there are a number of concerns. In this case, it is not like Vietnam where there was conscription. This was a voluntary tour. The issue is that before they completed that tour they were actually ordered to serve an additional tour or more, which is quite unusual.

Mrs. Alice Wong:

Mr. Speaker, it is our opinion that, as a general rule, military deserters from the United States are not genuine refugees under the internationally accepted meaning of the term. It is on these terms that we understand that the Immigration and Refugee Board makes that decision and it considers each asylum case on a case-by-case basis.

Mr. Bill Siksay (Burnaby—Douglas, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I have a number of questions for the hon. member. First, I would like to know why the Conservative government blocked any discussion at refugee hearings about the legality of the Iraq War since that is a crucial factor in making these kinds of determinations.

Mrs. Alice Wong:

Mr. Speaker, U.S. military deserters are not refugees. They do not fall under internationally accepted definitions of people in need of protection. This position has been upheld by three independent tribunals: the IRB, the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal.

Mr. Rick Dykstra (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the parliamentary secretary and member for Richmond for her comments. I thought she did an outstanding job explaining and expressing the position of the government.

Mrs. Alice Wong:

Mr. Speaker, there are people who come and say that they need to stay because if they go back to their own countries they will be persecuted. There are also people who come and express the need for help and assistance.

Ms. Olivia Chow (Trinity—Spadina, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, the Federal Court recently granted Joshua Key a new hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board and recent decisions by the Federal Court granted a stay of removal for Jeremy Hinzman and Kimberly Rivera, citing differential punishment of the Iraq war resisters. It goes to the whole point that because they have spoken out here, they have different kinds of punishment. How would she respond to that?

Mrs. Alice Wong:

Mr. Speaker, the report presented by the committee actually covers everything. I do not understand why we have to address each individual war. Again I say, American deserters are not refugees and that is the position we are taking right now.

Ms. Olivia Chow:

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat the question again. Obviously, there is something wrong with the decision of the Immigration and Refugee Board. If that is not the case, then the Federal Court, in three instances, would not have granted either a stay or a complete rejection of the IRB’s decision, so there is something that is wrong with the board’s decision. There is this whole claim that we should not worry because three boards, tribunal after tribunal, have rejected their claims of being refugees. How can we say they are not refugees when the Federal Court has now tossed that out and another hearing has to be granted?

Mrs. Alice Wong:

Mr. Speaker, if we look at the record, American deserters who have applied as refugee claimants have never been granted that. Again and again, I would like to state that American deserters are not legitimate refugees.

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, March 20, 2009—Ms. Alice Wong, Member of Parliament for Richmond, today announced federal support for the Richmond Youth Service Agency under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Ms. Wong made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister of State (Seniors).

Ms. Wong highlighted $18,550 in funding for the Richmond Youth Service Agency to help ensure that seniors have the opportunity to participate and take an active leadership role within their community.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support seniors in strengthening our communities and building our country,” said Ms. Wong. “This project will encourage seniors in Richmond to continue sharing their skills, wisdom and experience to benefit others.”

The Richmond Youth Service Agency received funding for its project Intergenerational Movie Sharing Nights, which will encourage intergenerational interaction by hosting regular movie nights followed by discussion groups for youth and seniors.

The investment highlighted today falls under the Community Participation and Leadership component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which encourages seniors to continue to play an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership, and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.

With two additional components of the New Horizons for Seniors Program—Capital Assistance and Elder Abuse Awareness—the overall budget of the Program is now $35 million per year.

Since its beginning, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded over 5,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. For more information about the Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

In Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government made a clear commitment to protect Canadians, including seniors, in difficult times by implementing several key measures:

* Increasing the Age Credit by $1,000 for 2009 and beyond to allow eligible seniors to receive up to an additional $150 in annual tax savings.
* Providing seniors with $200 million in tax relief by reducing the required minimum withdrawal amount for 2008 from Registered Retirement Income Funds by 25 percent, in recognition of the impact of the deterioration in market conditions on retirement savings.
* Helping older workers and their families through these tough economic times by investing an additional $60 million over three years in the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, and by expanding the number of eligible communities to include older workers in small cities.
* Providing $400 million over two years through the Affordable Housing Initiative for the construction of housing units for low-income seniors.
* Establishing an independent Task Force to make recommendations on a cohesive national strategy on financial literacy for Canadians.

Backgrounder

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) helps ensure that seniors are able to actively contribute to and benefit from the quality of life in their communities.

Building on the success of the NHSP, in Budget 2007, the Government of Canada increased the Program’s budget by $10 million per year to provide capital assistance for repairs to facilities and equipment related to existing seniors’ programs, and to raise awareness of elder abuse across Canada. This has increased the total budget for the NHSP to $35 million per year.

As a result of the additional $10 million, the Program offers three types of funding to organizations:

1. Community Participation and Leadership funding (up to $25,000 in funding): this funding supports community-based projects across Canada. The projects encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership, and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.
2. Capital Assistance funding (up to $25,000 in funding): this funding helps non‑profit organizations that need to upgrade facilities or equipment used for existing seniors’ programs and activities. It enables seniors to continue to lead active lives by participating in existing programs and activities in their communities.
3. Elder Abuse Awareness funding (up to $250,000 in funding annually over a maximum of three years): this funding helps non-profit organizations and coalitions raise awareness of the abuse of older adults on a national or regional level. Through this funding, new educational and awareness resources about elder abuse will be available to improve quality of life, safety and security for seniors.

News Release

Richmond, British Columbia— As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Conservative government will significantly expand graduate program scholarships, helping to deliver a more robust, competitive Canadian economy, said MP Alice Wong at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

“Our government is investing in business, science and technology to create jobs, improve the quality of life for Canadians and strengthen the economy for future generations,” said MP Alice Wong. “These additional scholarships will help our universities develop the best researchers in the world and keep Canadian talent here at home.”

The Conservative government is providing $87.5 million to the granting councils over three years starting in 2009-10, and will create an additional 500 doctoral scholarships and 1000 master’s scholarships per year.

As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Conservative government is providing an additional investment of over $5.1 billion toward science and technology initiatives, including $87.5 million for the Canada Graduate Scholarships program.

The funding will help more of the country’s top graduate students to deepen their skills through further study in support of a more innovative economy. Part of the funding will also be directed towards business degrees to help Canadian businesses stay competitive on the world stage.

The Canada Graduate Scholarships program is a shared initiative of three granting councils. Of the $87.5 million, $35 million will be allocated to Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, $35 million to Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and $17.5 million to Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

News Release

Vancouver, British Columbia — Today, Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Richmond, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced a $140,000 federal government investment to the City of Vancouver to move forward with projects to strengthen the economic and business capabilities of Vancouver’s Chinatown and Strathcona communities.

“Our Government’s action will ensure that our local communities have the tools they need to attract new business and create new jobs,” said Dr. Wong. “Today’s announcement is part of our efforts to address the challenges our communities face during this time of global economic recession.”

Government of Canada funding, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, will help the City of Vancouver establish a business attraction and marketing strategy for both the Chinatown and Strathcona communities.

“I grew up in the downtown eastside of Vancouver, and have been involved with this community for over 30 years,” said Vancouver City Councillor George Chow. “I’m pleased to see our Government investing in Chinatown and Strathcona. This funding will open up new opportunities and hasten the progress we are already seeing in this proud neighbourhood of history and diversity.”

In Strathcona, the project will include an action plan to increase business productivity through sustainable, green business practices.

“Entering these economically challenging times, the Strathcona Business Improvement Association is developing more progressive and holistic tools to support our businesses in increasing their productivity through sustainable and environmental means,” said Toby Barazzuol, Vice-Chair, Strathcona Business Improvement Association. “With this funding support, the SBIA can realize its goals of strengthening existing businesses while also developing the community that will support the next generation of sustainable businesses.”

The investment will also help Chinatown develop a business recruitment marketing package and action plan for local merchants to improve customer attraction and service.

“On behalf of the Vancouver Chinatown BIA, I am very grateful to WD for funding projects through the city of Vancouver that will create a new legacy involving broad community groups working collectively to implement tangible solutions that will stimulate business and economic development in Chinatown,” added Albert Fok, President, Vancouver Chinatown BIA Society.

Today’s announcement comes as part of Western Economic Diversification Canada’s commitment to the Vancouver Agreement. Strathcona Business Improvement Association, Bell and Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Society provided additional funding for the Business Improvement Associations projects, which has a total project cost of $250,000.

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations, and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision-making.

For additional information, contact:

Donna Howes
Communications Manager,
British Columbia Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616

Wendy Au
Assistant City Manager
Tel: 604-871-6639

Cathy Kwan
Strathcona Business Improvement Association
Tel: 604-258-2727

Albert Fok
President
Vancouver Chinatown BIA Society
Tel: 604-632-3808

Spoken in the House of Commons, January 30, 2009 (Topic: Warren Kinsella)

Mr. Speaker, my constituents are asking me why the Liberal leader is refusing to fire his top political aide, Warren Kinsella. Was Mr. Kinsella’s comment about tucking into a bowl of barbecued cat at the Yang Sheng restaurant here in Ottawa made in his role as Liberal Party spokesman?

His comments that Chinese restaurants serve cat meat deeply offended the Chinese community in Canada and have already been condemned in the Sing Tao Daily, Ming Pao, the World Journal and across Chinese language talk radio.

As Chinese Canadians and as people who appreciate the freedom and opportunity that Canada provides, my community and I are deeply offended by these racially ignorant comments from an official spokesperson for the Liberal Party. What hurts the most about Kinsella’s comments is that he refuses to apologize to the Chinese community.

When will the leader of the Liberal Party realize the seriousness of this and when will we see an apology?

Spoken in the House of Commons, January 27, 2009 (Topic: Lunar New Year)

Mr. Speaker, I will start my first words in the House of Commons by thanking the voters of Richmond for their trust in me. I also wish to thank my campaign team, the volunteers and especially my husband for their unwavering support all these years.

Richmond is home to Canada’s Pacific gateway and one of the most multicultural ridings in Canada. In fact, yesterday marked the beginning of the widely celebrated lunar new year.

This year is the year of the ox. The ox traditionally symbolizes prosperity through perseverance and hard work. With economic uncertainty, the year of the ox beckons all of us here to work tirelessly, bringing stability to the economy, maintaining jobs and caring for the most vulnerable.

In 2010, Richmond will showcase to the world the magnificent speed skating oval and a brand new Canada line that connects Richmond with the Vancouver International Airport and downtown Vancouver.

Working with the spirit of the ox, Richmond will prosper. On behalf of Richmond, I wish all Canadians a healthy and prosperous lunar new year. Gong hei fatt choy.

Vancouver, January 23, 2009 — The Government of Canada is launching four projects designed to reach out to youth and the Chinese community and raise awareness of the Chinese Head Tax and other measures that restricted Chinese immigration between 1885 and 1947. This announcement was made today by Parliamentary Secretary Alice Wong, on behalf of Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

The projects will also seek to honour the work of those who challenged discrimination and sought redress, while also celebrating the contributions of the Chinese-Canadian community that helped to build a strong and diverse Canada.

“The Head Tax and other immigration restrictions that affected Chinese-Canadians are an unfortunate chapter in our history and deserve recognition,” said Dr. Wong. “These projects will increase understanding of the impact of these policies on the Chinese-Canadian community.”

In June 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered a full apology to Chinese-Canadians for the Head Tax, expressing deep sorrow for the subsequent exclusion of Chinese immigrants and committing to raising awareness of these policies, which are inconsistent with the values that Canadians hold today.

Funded under the Community Historical Recognition Program (CHRP), the projects will be delivered by: Simon Fraser University, which will receive $200,000; the University of British Columbia, which will receive $50,000; the Metro Toronto Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, which will receive $50,000; and the Toronto Community and Culture Centre, which will also receive $50,000.

The CHRP was announced in June 2006 as part of the Government of Canada’s comprehensive historical recognition program. This program funds community-based commemorative and educational projects that recognize the experiences of communities affected by historical wartime measures and/or immigration restrictions applied in Canada; and that promote the contributions of these communities to building this country. Eligible projects can include monuments, commemorative plaques, educational material and exhibits.

Please contact the CHRP by telephone at 1-888-776-8584 (toll free) or by electronic mail at CHRP-PRHC@pch.gc.ca for more information if you wish to submit a funding application in 2009.

Alice Wong, MP (Richmond)

Richmond Office:
Unit 360 – 5951 No. 3 Road
Richmond, BC
V6X 2E3

Phone: 604-775-5790
Fax: 604-775-6291
E-Mail: WongA1@parl.gc.ca

Ottawa Office:
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Phone: 613-995-2021 / 1-877-775-5790 (toll-free)
Fax: 613-995-2174
E-Mail: Wong.A@parl.gc.ca