Scheer opposes Canada signing UN compact on migrants, Liberals cry foul

OTTAWA — As Canada prepares to sign on to a United Nations agreement on migration, Conservative politicians are pushing back, saying signing it would be tantamount to erasing Canada’s borders.

But the Liberals say Conservatives are simply trying to court voters being fed conspiracy theories about the UN agreement fuelled by the online news outlet Rebel Media.

The Global Compact on Migration is set to become the first, inter-governmentally negotiated agreement under the UN to cover all dimensions of international migration; it is aimed at improving co-operation between countries and will be signed by multiple countries next week in Morocco.

Canada’s Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen is to sign on Canada’s behalf.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says he strongly opposes this agreement, as he believes it would give foreign entities influence over Canada’s immigration system and would influence media coverage of immigration issues.

But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accuses Scheer of using “Rebel Media talking points” — a reference to the controversial news website, which has been linked to the alt-right and has called the compact a means to normalize mass migration and silence media critics.

Trudeau says the declaration is aimed at improving co-operation on migration, and insists it won’t harm Canada’s ability to act on its own.

“We are demonstrating that rigorous systems and an open policy actually leads to economic growth and economic advantages and stronger communities. And being able to do this in a way that shows global leadership and of course does not impinge upon our own sovereignty.”

 

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