ARCHIVED - Government of Canada statement on arrest in the MV Sun Sea case

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Ottawa - April 5, 2012 - The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, and the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, today made the following statement following the arrest of Mr. Thayakaran Markandu in France. Mr. Markandu is facing charges of Organizing Entry into Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for his involvement with the MV Sun Sea, a migrant vessel that brought 492 irregular migrants to Canada in August of 2010.

“We would like to take this opportunity to commend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Interpol and the French authorities for their efforts in apprehending Mr. Markandu.  Canada is a generous and compassionate country that welcomes newcomers. But no Canadian thinks it's acceptable to abuse our immigration system for financial gain through the despicable crime of human smuggling.

Our government takes this crime very seriously and that is why we introduced the Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act. With this new legislation we are cracking down on human smugglers, including making it easier to prosecute them, and introducing mandatory minimum sentences.”

An RCMP investigation led to charges being laid against Mr. Markandu in early March 2012.  Mr. Markandu is currently being held in custody in France and the extradition process has been initiated. 

For more information on Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada web site at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2012/2012-02-16.asp

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Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

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