f*ck me, canada would even be harder to get to
Definetly a longer trip, more complicated for sure.
good welfare system there as well
Canada has been a bastion of refuge for years. I think that is part of why Canada / US relations has been in the toilet since 9/11. That and successive liberal majorities in government. Yes, we are more "socialist" than the US, for sure. Health, welfare, benefits. High taxes to pay for it all though.
a couple of boats recently have sabotaged themselves to ensure they get entry.
Somebody tipped the government off that the boat was on it's way over. In hindsight, they should have been turned back then. Now we will spend millions discussing whether they are a threat to national / international security over the next couple of years. Fortunately, we are starting to take the issue of who comes to Canada a little more seriously. No doubt it is partially in response to US pressure, but also after several high focus issues with these immigrants.
Omar Khadr - Canada's most famous enemy combattant, son of OBL's buddies.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Khadr
Hezbollah Guy with $880K intercepted at Border
nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2216482
Canada changing what it takes to be a Canadian New Citizenship Test Material
network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/11/12/barbara-kay-quot-discover-canada-the-rights-and-responisibilities-of-citizenship-quot-is-a-watershed-moment-for-the-policy-of-multiculturalism-and-a-banner-day-for-immigrant-women. aspx
There has been a lot of backlash about recent honour killings, and great debate (urged on by a muslim group none the less) about the wearing of Burkas, nikabs etc. in Canadian society.