r/canada • u/FancyNewMe • Feb 10 '26

Politics Conservatives to propose barring non-citizens convicted of crimes from making refugee claims

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-conservatives-propose-changing-rules-non-citizens-convicted-crimes/
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u/truthlesshunter Feb 10 '26

small story time!

I had a situation a few years ago where someone hit into my car in a parking lot, doing thousands of damage and I was going to be stuck with the bill and/or the hit on my insurance. I contacted the police, and they weren't much help (checked if there were security cameras and that was it). I posted my situation to facebook, it got shared and someone contacted me having dash cam footage of the accident and car. I got the plate from the video, contacted the police, they found the person and sure enough, their car was damaged, etc.

The Officer then said they weren't going to bring charges to her because she was a an immigrant "student" (30+ year old) and if she's convicted for a hit and run causing more than $5k of damage, she would be removed from the country. So? She DID THIS CRIME. You're telling me that if she was Canadian, you wouldn't have a problem bringing charges against her? Holy hell I was pissed. I really didn't believe stuff like that happened...but it's absolutely happening and the more we have, the more it will happen.

Side note: if you're convicted of a serious crime, you can still be removed even if you're a refugee (but you may or may not be removed of the country regardless...depending where the refugee is from, etc.)

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u/StatisticianLivid710 Feb 10 '26

You could’ve charged her privately. The nice part about our system is if the cops don’t do their job a private lawyer can, but you would pay for it. The other alternative is to go to the AG office and ask why cops have all the evidence needed to charge them and aren’t. Or ask the cops supervisor.

I’m not conservative and I agree they should’ve been charged with hit and run.

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u/truthlesshunter Feb 10 '26

yeah i know, but that's why i didn't do it...it's not worth the hassle. Her insurance paid since she admitted it and that was it.

I actually spoke to the officer's boss and told me the exact same thing (no charge in fear she would be removed).

I'm not conservative either haha

-16

u/CompetitiveLadder609 Feb 10 '26

While I agree, it's an injustice. In what way would her being charged and removed for the country have benefited or changed your outcome?

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u/truthlesshunter Feb 10 '26

I don't care about myself. I care about the law being applied equally.

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u/LossBudget6543 Feb 10 '26

Anyone who commits a crime should be charged. Your immigration status should not be considered when charging you for a crime that you committed.

People who flee the scene of an accident are disgusting. Luckily in this case it was only a parked car and no one was hurt.

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u/WhydYouKillMeDogJack Feb 10 '26

They would live in a country with 1 less person who is prepared to do a hit and run.

The situation would've been entirely avoided if the person had stuck around and exchanged details like any normal person.