Ethics

Is it a lightswitch? Is it ethical to only quote policy when you don't want to do your job? Is it ethical that celebrities (with or without criminal records) and foreign NHL players can get special treatment?

I've got all the sympathy in the world for refugees (I was one). They should be allowed to jump the red tape line. But let's not delude ourselves into thinking it's all a fair 1st come 1st served system.

v) Queue jumping
Some interveners were concerned about the impact that moving applications up the immigration queue would have on applications already in the system (from both within and outside the affected areas). It was noted that the special treatment that refugees from Kosovo received caused some resentment from those who had already been going through the process. The Government should look at ways of not making this a two-tier process.

This is the reply a co-worker got:

On behalf of the Prime Minister, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your e-mail.

While the Prime Minister understands the circumstances that caused you to write, there are certain restrictions on the involvement of Cabinet members - including the Prime Minister - in cases like that which you have described. These limitations exist to assure all applicants that the immigration and refugee determination process is independent and free of political interference. Accordingly, the Prime Minister will not be able to make any representations on your behalf to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration in this matter.

I have forwarded your e-mail to the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, for his information and consideration.

While I know you will be disappointed by this response, I hope you can understand the reasons for this policy.

Thank you for writing to the Prime Minister.

Expected and beautifully canned. Ah well, it's all good. More ammo for lawsuit.

Ming, this was the quote I was referring to yesterday:

"You've got to remember that west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent Asian immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society." - Stephen Harper, The Report Newsmagazine, January 22, 2001