Harper government pushes for refugee reform bill

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has introduced legislation that would give him the power to designate “safe” and “unsafe” countries when it comes to refugee claims.

Failed refugee claimants from countries deemed safe would not be permitted to appeal the decision to the immigration board.

Kenney says changes are needed to deal with a wave of bogus claims from democratic countries that respect human rights.

However, opposition critic Don Davies says the legislation allows the minister to hand-pick “so-called safe countries,” and that rescinding the right to appeal goes against the rule of the law.