Dear Editor,
A recent letter claimed that birth tourism does no harm to Canada.
We can agree that Canada needs immigration. Our birth rate is low and we need workers for our economy.
However, the loophole in our immigration law that allows expectant moms to fly into Canada and create an instant Canadian was never the intent of the legislation.
Aside from birth tourists, Canada runs a pretty well-regulated immigration system. Its major intent is to add people to our population who can immediately help the economy grow.
These people are called economic immigrants and are the backbone of the program. A secondary program allows for family reunion.
A third program admits people from war-torn areas and people facing persecution for their beliefs.
Birth tourism defeats the standards set for immigration. Such an instant citizen need have no economic ability, nor family connection, nor are they facing persecution.
In an extreme case, the birth tourist could be a criminal running from justice or a complete economic drag, but are holding a Canadian passport.
Many countries who had a birth tourism loophole have closed it.
Canada needs qualified people coming in the front door, not the back door. Being a Canadian is like winning the lottery. It should not be a fly-in, fly-out event.
Eric Sykes
RICHMOND
